SAINT PAUL– The University of Denver men's basketball program cut a 17-point halftime deficit to as little as one with 4:22 to play but couldn't complete the comeback in a 74-62 loss at league-leaders St. Thomas on Saturday night at Schoenecker Arena.
The Pioneers (6-15, 0-6) had two players score in double figures, led by Sebastian Akins, who had 14 points. Nicholas Shogbonyo added 11 points and Pedro Lopez-Sanvicente chipped in eight points.
Denver out-rebounded St. Thomas 30-24 in Saturday's game, led by Lopez Sanvicente's and Abdulai Fanta Kabba's five boards apiece.
NOTES:
- Denver had five players finish with at least seven points.
- Denver's bench outscored the St. Thomas reserves 32-12.
- Sebastian Akins finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
- Akins finished in double figures for the second-straight game and for the 15th time in his freshman season.
- Nicholas Shogbonyo finished with 11 points.
- Shogbonyo finished in double figures for the 15th time this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Denver opened the game with its first four points of the night before an 11-2 run put the Tommies in-front on their home floor. St. Thomas used another 11-0 run near the end of the half to stretch its advantage to 17 heading into the locker room. Jon Mani led the Pios with seven in the opening 20 minutes, while Nicholas Shogbonyo and Sebastian Akins chipped in five apiece.
Denver opened the half on a 14-5 run that included a pair of triples from Shogbonyo to trim the deficit to as little as eight with 12:56 to play in regulation. Denver narrowed its deficit to 57-47 before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Isaiah Addo-Ankrah's three, to shrink the deficit to 57-55 with 6:51 to go in the contest. St. Thomas responded and outscored the Pioneers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 74-62. Denver got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 16 of its 35 total points.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
UP NEXT:
Denver will return home before heading right back on the road for a Thursday night date with Oral Roberts. Opening tip is set for 6 p.m. MT on the Summit League Network and 104.3 The Fan HD3.
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