DENVER – The University of Denver men's basketball program used a 21-4 run in the first half to blow its first game of the 2024 Big Sky/Summit League Challenge out of the water, a game that ended up in a 80-59 win over Sacramento State on Wednesday night inside Hamilton Gymnasium.
The Pioneers (4-6) had two players score in double figures, led by Sebastian Akins, who had 22 points and six assists. DeAndre Craig tacked on 18 points and Josh Lee added seven points and two steals.
The Denver offense made hay from deep, making 14 threes on 34 attempts. Akins hit four treys for the Pioneers in the contest.
Denver's defense held Sacramento State to only 39.6 percent shooting from the field, including 21.1 percent from beyond the arc. The Hornets did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and managed 11 second chance points while Denver cleared 27 defensive rebounds.
NOTES:
- Denver knocked down seven of its first nine three-point field goals on Wednesday night to blow open the first half.
- The Pioneers improved to 4-0 at home this year and 29-16 at home under fourth-year head coach Jeff Wulbrun.
- For the second-straight game, Denver turned it over two times or less in the opening 20 minutes, giving up possession just once in the first half on Wednesday.
- The Pioneers improved to 4-0 on the season and 34-11 under Wulbrun when leading at the intermission.
- Denver made a season-high 14 three-pointers.
- DeAndre Craig finished with 18 points and 3 assists
- Craig finished in double figures for the second-straight game, the sixth time this season and the 17th time in his career.
- Sebastian Akins finished with 22 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.
- Akins finished in double figures for the third-straight game, and the seventh time of his freshman season.
- Akins finished with 5+ assists for the second time this season.
- Denver had four other players with at least seven points.
- The Pioneers outscored Sacramento State 35-11 off the bench.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After jumping out to an 18-11 advantage, Denver went on a 17-0 run with 13:48 left in the first half to increase its lead to 35-11. The Pioneers then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 47-31 advantage. Denver relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down eight shots to account for 24 of its 47 points.
Following intermission, Denver kept widening that lead, expanding it to 52-35 before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Akins' three, to grow the lead to 58-35 with 15:31 to go in the contest. The Hornets narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Pioneers still cruised the rest of the way for the 80-59 win. Denver shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting six shots from deep to score 18 of its 33 points.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
UP NEXT:
Denver will close out the 2024 Big Sky/Summit League Challenge on Saturday afternoon when the Pioneers head to Portland State. Opening tip on ESPN+ and ESPN Denver 1600 is set for 3 p.m. MT.
TICKETS:
Get tickets for the 2024-25 season by clicking here.
DENVER'S HOME FOR COLLEGE SPORTS
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of DU's NCAA Division I sports.
Like Denver Men's Basketball and Denver Pioneers on Facebook
Follow @du_menshoops and @DU_Pioneers on Twitter
Follow @du_mhoops and @DenverPioneers on Instagram
