DENVER – The University of Denver men's basketball program dropped its Summit League home opener to North Dakota on Thursday night inside Hamilton Gymnasium. UND earned a 95-70 win for its first Summit League victory of the season.
The Pioneers (6-12, 0-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Josh Lee, who had 12 points. Isaiah Addo-Ankrah tacked on 11 points and Sebastian Akins chipped in as well with 11 points.
The Denver offense was very productive from deep, pouring in eight threes on 17 attempts. Addo-Ankrah was the most prolific shooter for the Pioneers, draining two treys in the contest.
NOTES:
- Josh Lee finished with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
- Lee finished in double figures for the second-straight game, the sixth time this season and of his career.
- Isaiah Addo-Ankrah finished with 11 points and 4 rebounds.
- Addo-Ankrah finished in double figures for the eighth time this season and the 24th time in his career.
- Abdulai Fanta Kabba finished with 4 points and 10 rebounds.
- Kabba finished with double digit rebounds for the first time in his career.
- Sebastian Akins finished with 11 points and 2 assists.
- Akins finished in double figures for the fifth-straight game and the 13th time in his career.
- The Pioneers were without starting guard DeAndre Craig on Thursday night due to injury.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
North Dakota got out to an early lead and didn't relinquish it in the opening 20 minutes, stretching its advantage to as many as 15 in the first half. Josh Lee led the Pioneers with eight points with two boards and two assists. Jon Mani and Isaiah Addo-Ankrah both had six.
North Dakota kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 56-38 advantage before Denver went on a 9-0 run, finished off by Nicholas Shogbonyo's three, to shrink the deficit to 56-47 with 14:17 to go in the contest. North Dakota responded and outscored the Pioneers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 95-70. Denver took care of business in the paint, recording 18 of its 34 points in the lane.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
UP NEXT:
Denver will play the middle game of its three-game homestand on Saturday afternoon when the Pioneers welcome North Dakota State to Hamilton Gymnasium for a 1 p.m. MT tipoff. The game will be broadcast on the Summit League Network and 104.3 The Fan HD3.
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