DENVER – With the game tied at 68-68 and seven seconds to play, Sebastian Akins drove all the way to the baseline before hitting a wide-open cutting Abdulai Fanta Kabba for the game-winning dunk to send the University of Denver men's basketball program to its first Summit League win of the season, a 70-68 victory at Oral Roberts on Thursday night inside the Mabee Center.

The Pioneers (7-15, 1-6) had three players score in double figures, led by Nicholas Shogbonyo, who had 15 points. DeAndre Craig tacked on 13 points and nine rebounds and Abdulai Fanta Kabba helped out with 10 points, six rebounds and two steals.

NOTES:

• The game-winning dunk was Denver's sixth game-winning shot in the final 10 seconds under fourth-year head coach Jeff Wulbrun, and the first since Isaiah Addo-Ankrah's game-winning triple in the 2024 Summit League Quarterfinal.
• Denver led at the half (39-35) for the first time since carrying a 42-36 advantage into the locker room on December 21, 2024 against Northern Colorado.
• The Pioneers turned it over just seven times on Thursday night, its ninth time in the last 14 games with 10 turnovers or less.
• Denver's win snaps a nine-game losing streak, and the win gives the Pioneers their first in Summit League play this season.
• The win was also Denver's second away from home this year.
• Thursday's win snaps an eight-game losing streak for the Pioneers in their series with Oral Roberts.
• Tonight also marked Denver's first win in Tulsa since January, 20, 2018 (73-64). 
• Five different Pioneers finished with at least nine points.
• Nicholas Shogbonyo finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds.
• Shogbonyo finished in double figures for the second-straight game and for the 16^th time in his first Division I season.  
• Shogbonyo has 15+ points in 13 of his last 19 games.
• Shogbonyo has had at least four rebounds from his guard position in 15 times in the last 20 games.
• DeAndre Craig finished with 13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
• Craig finished in double figures for the 13^th time this season and the 24^th time in his two-year Pioneer career.
• Craig's rebound total is a new career high.
• Abdulai Fanta Kabba finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block and 1 assist.
• Kabba finished in double figures for the second time in his career.
• Kabba's game-winner was the first of his career.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
After falling behind 24-15, Denver went on a 9-0 run with 10:35 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Deandre Craig, to tie the game at 24. The Pioneers then proceeded to grab a 39-35 lead heading into halftime. Denver did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 22 of its 39 points close to the basket.

Oral Roberts proceeded to take a 50-48 lead before Denver went on a 5-0 run to seize a 53-50 lead with 10:05 to go in the contest. The Golden Eagles tied it up late before Kabba's game-winning dunk just before time expired. Denver took care of business in the paint, recording 16 of its 31 points in the lane.

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

UP NEXT:
The Pioneers will close out the first half of Summit League regular season play next Thursday when Denver hosts Kansas City inside Hamilton Gymnasium. Opening tip is set for 7 p.m. MT, and will be streamed on the Summit League Network and 104.3 the Fan HD3.

TICKETS:
Get tickets for the 2024-25 season by clicking here.

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