GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of Denver men's basketball team avenged a 25-point home loss a month ago with a 68-64 win at North Dakota on Thursday night at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.

The Pioneers (9-18, 3-9) had three players score in double figures, led by Sebastian Akins, who had 16 points and three steals. Nicholas Shogbonyo added 14 points and six rebounds off the bench and DeAndre Craig chipped in as well with 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Denver out-rebounded North Dakota 38-34 in Thursday's game, paced by Abdulai Fanta Kabba's seven boards.

Denver forced 17 North Dakota turnovers. The Pioneers turned those takeaways into 14 points on the offensive end of the floor. Akins' three steals led the way for Denver.

NOTES:

• Denver's 19 points allowed in the first half is the program's lowest since limiting Omaha to 18 in the first half of a 72-61 win on February 25, 2023.
• The Pioneers last allowed 19 or less points in a half on the road on November 24, 2021 at Air Force (2^nd half – L, 66-65).
• DU allowed 19 points or less in the first half of a road game for the first time since February 24, 2018 at Western Illinois (W, 89-52).
• Six Pios had at least eight points.
• Denver improved to 5-10 vs. North Dakota, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Fighting Hawks. The Pioneers also picked up their second win in Grand Forks in six attempts, the first since 2/3/22.
• Nicholas Shogbonyo finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
• Shogbonyo finished in double figures for the second-straight game and for the 19^th time in his first season with the program.
• Shogbonyo made all five free-throw attempts, moving him into ninth in Denver's single-season record book with 107.
• Sebastian Akins finished with 16 points, 3 assists and 3 steals.
• Akins finished in double figures for the third-straight game and the 18^th time in his freshman campaign.
• Akins moved past three more Pios, including Chase Hallam's 2009-10 campaign to move into fifth on Denver's freshman scoring list.
• Akins finished with 3+ steals for the second time this season.
• DeAndre Craig finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists.
• Craig finished in double figures for the sixth-straight game, the 18^th time this season and the 29^th time in his two-year Pioneer career.
• Abdulai Fanta Kabba finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.
• Kabba finished with 3+ blocks for the second time this season.
• Junior 7-foot center Isaiah Carr returned to the Denver lineup for the first time since exiting Denver's November 24^th game at Montana (Missed previous 20 games).

HOW IT HAPPENED:
After playing to a 6-6 tie, Denver went on a 16-0 run with 13:13 left in the first half to take a 22-6 lead. The Pioneers then maintained that lead and entered halftime with a 35-19 advantage. Denver did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 18 of its 35 points close to the basket. Sebastian Akins had nine first-half points in just eight minutes, exiting with two fouls midway through the first half.

Following intermission, Denver kept widening that lead, expanding it to 45-28 before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Deandre Craig's three, to grow the lead to 50-28 with 14:50 to go in the contest. The Fightin' Hawks narrowed the margin before the game was over, but the Pioneers still held on for the 68-64 win. Denver took care of business in the paint, recording 22 of its 33 points in the lane.

This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

UP NEXT:
Denver will wrap-up its Summit League North Dakota visit on Saturday afternoon when the Pioneers head to North Dakota State. Opening tip is set for 1 p.m. CT/12 p.m. MT, and the game will be broadcast on the Summit League Network.

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