SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The University of Denver men's basketball program couldn't close out a road game in regulation, and fell in overtime for the second time this season in a 95-94 loss at Cal Poly on Tuesday night at the Mott Athletics Center.  

The Pioneers (6-8) had four players score in double figures, led by DeAndre Craig, who had 22 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Nicholas Shogbonyo added 22 points and seven rebounds and Sebastian Akins chipped in as well with 21 points and two steals off the bench.

The Denver offense was very productive from three point land, knocking down 10 threes on 22 attempts. Isaiah Addo-Ankrah and Shogbonyo were the most prolific shooters for the Pioneers, draining three treys each in the contest.

NOTES:

• Denver had three 20+ point scorers for the first time since December 20, 2021 in an 84-80 loss to Western Illinois (KJ Hunt 22, Touko Tainamo 21, Jordan Johnson 21) 
• Denver had three 20+ point scorers in a road game for the first time since February 13, 2016 at Purdue Fort Wayne in an 88-84 loss (Marcus Byrd 28, Nate Engesser 24, Thomas Neff 21).
• Denver finished with 14 steals in the contest, its first game against a DI opponent this season with double digit steals.
• Nicholas Shogbonyo finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists.
• Shogbonyo finished in double figures for the fourth-straight game and for the 10^th time in his first season with the program.
• Shogbonyo has 20+ points for the third time this season and the second time in Denver's last three games.
• Shogbonyo has at least 15 points in nine of Denver's last 11 games.
• Shogbonyo has grabbed 4+ rebounds from his guard position in 11 of DU's last 12 games.
• Shogbonyo knocked down 3+ triples for the third time this season.
• DeAndre Craig finished with a career-high 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
• Craig finished in double figures for the sixth-straight game, the 10^th time this season and the 21^st time in his two-year Pioneer career.
• Craig had 3+ steals for the first time this season and the fourth time in his career.
• Sebastian Akins finished with 21 points, and 2 steals.
• Akins finished in double figures for the ninth time in his rookie season.
• Akins finished with 20+ for the third time in his freshman season.
• Isaiah Addo-Ankrah finished with 11 points and 2 steals.
• Addo-Ankrah finished in double figures for the seventh time this season and the 23^rd time in his career.
• Addo-Ankrah knocked down 3+ triples for the seventh time this season and the fifth time in the last six games.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
After jumping out to a 15-12 advantage, Denver went on an 11-0 run with 13:36 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Josh Lee, to increase its lead to 26-12. The Pioneers then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 39-28 advantage. Denver did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 22 of its 39 points close to the basket. Seven different players scored in the first half, led by 11 points from Nicholas Shogbonyo and nine more from freshman guard Sebastian Akins. Denver was held without a field goal in the final 4:34, but still took a 12-point lead into the locker room. DU shot 55.2 percent from the field in the first half, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Denver started tacking on points in the second half almost immediately, going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Deandre Craig's three, to grow the lead to 45-28 with 18:39 to go in the contest. Denver led by as many as 23 before the Mustangs fought back to even things up at 76-76 and send the game to overtime.

Cal Poly led nearly the entire extra session en-route to a one-point win. Craig had nine points for the Pioneers in the extra session.

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

UP NEXT:
Denver will round out its 2024 schedule back inside Hamilton Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon when the Pioneers host Northern Colorado. Opening tip on Altitude TV is set for 3 p.m. MT. The game is the back half of a men's and women's basketball double header. DU's women's game tips at 12 p.m. MT.

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