Thursday, March 15Pioneers toughened in losses to La. Tech
Associated Press
DENVER -- Denver has made the NCAA tournament for the first time ever, in only its third year at the Division I level. But coach Pam Tanner insisted Tuesday her team won't be intimidated. Tanner said Denver learned to deal with the pressure in two losses to national power Louisiana Tech this year. In one game, Denver led at the end of the first half but succumbed to a second-half rally, 67-55. "There is no reason to be wide-eyed when you've had to look Louisiana Tech in the eye four times in two years," Tanner said. Tenth-seeded Denver (24-6) plays 7th-seed Virginia Tech (21-8) of the Big East Conference in the Mideast Regional on Friday. "Some people might be surprised that we are here, but not us," said Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Michaela Pavlickova. "This was always a goal of ours and we attained it." Pavlickova, the team leader with 17.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, is a key reason the Pioneers have reached the tournament. The 6-foot-2-inch senior, who attracted WNBA scouts throughout the season, is a solid 3-point-shooter, brings the ball up the floor and can shoot from down low. "She is dangerous because she can beat you in so many ways," Tanner said. "She is a next-level player." But not the only player. Guard Melissa Garcia provides scoring, 11.4 a game, and an outside presence. And Denver's defense ranks 14th nationally, allowing less that 59 points a game. While confident, Tanner and the Pioneers realize they face a big test in Virginia Tech. "They have a lot of weapons and they are the type of team if you take one thing away somebody else is going to find a way to score," Tanner said. With a win, Denver would advance to a second round game with either 2nd-seeded Texas Tech or 15th-seeded Pennsylvania.
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