BROOKINGS, S.D. – The University of Denver men's basketball program fell to South Dakota State 91-70 on Thursday night at First Bank & Trust Arena.
The Pioneers (6-10, 0-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Nicholas Shogbonyo, who had 18 points. Sebastian Akins added 17 points, six rebounds and two steals off the bench and DeAndre Craig added eight points and two steals.
The Denver defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Thursday's game, forcing 19 South Dakota State turnovers while committing nine. Those takeaways turned into 21 points on the offensive end of the floor. Josh Lee led the way individually for the Pioneers with two steals.
NOTES:
- After struggling from the field in the first half, Denver scored 51 points in the second half, its first 50+-point half against a DI opponent since scoring 52 against SDSU in a 99-80 win on January 13, 2024.
- As a team, the Pioneers turned it over just nine times on Thursday, making it seven of the last eight games for the Pioneers with 10 turnovers or less.
- The Pioneers finished with 10 steals, their fourth game with double digit steals this season.
- Nicholas Shogbonyo finished with 18 points and 2 rebounds.
- Shogbonyo finished in double figures for the sixth-straight game and for the 12th time in his first season in the NCAA.
- Shogbonyo has 15+ points in 11 of Denver's last 13 games.
- Sebastian Akins finished with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
- Akins finished in double figures for the third-straight game and the 11th time in his freshman campaign.
- Akins has seven 15+ point games this season.
- Freshman center Abdulai Fanta Kabba made his collegiate debut on Thursday after missing the first half of the season with a lower-body injury.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Denver buried its first two triples of the night thanks to shots from Josh Lee and Isaiah Addo-Ankrah to take a 6-2 lead, but an extend run from the host Jackrabbits saw SDSU open its lead to as many as 27 points when the Jacks took a 46-19 lead into the locker room. The Pioneers shot just 20% from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
The Pioneers opened the half on a 12-6 run that included the first seven from Nicholas Shogbonyo to trim the lead to 21 at the first media timeout. Denver extended its run to 28-13 to start the second half in the next four-minute segment, a stretch that included a 9-0 spurt in 65 seconds to force a South Dakota State timeout. South Dakota State responded and outscored the Pioneers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 91-70. Denver shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting eight shots from deep to score 24 of its 51 points.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
UP NEXT:
Denver will wrap-up its Summit League opening road trip on Saturday night when the Pioneers make the short drive from Brookings to Vermillion to take on the University of South Dakota. Opening tip on Saturday is set for 6 p.m. MT, and will be streamed on the Summit League Network and broadcast on 104.3 the Fan HD3
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