Denver owned a 21-point lead in the second half against the Montana State Bobcats Sunday at Hamilton Gym. The Bobcats started to press DU and went on a 17-2 run to be in a position to tie or win the game. Denver held on for the nail-biting win. Denver was saved at the foul line, going 29-31 (93.5%) for the game.
Nicholas Shagbonyo (15), DeAndre Craig (14), Isiaih Addo Ankrah (12), Josh Lee (10) and Sebastian Akins (10) all finished in double figures as Wulbrun relied on a guard-heavy lineup. Denver’s 20 turnovers, many in the final ten minutes, allowed MSU back in the game.
Wulbrun opened with a four-guard lineup with freshman Josh Pickett as the only forward, playing the lineup that has demonstrated the greatest energy on the floor last game. Denver had a two- point edge, 18-16, midway through the first half but pushed their advantge to 11 points, 47-33, on 51.9% from the field at the break.
Denver continued to carry the pace of play into the second half. A pull-up jumper by DeAndre Craig with 13:57 remaining gave Denver a 62-41 lead. Montana State began to chip away, especially in the paint, as the Denver defense appeared to tire. With two minutes remaining, MSU cut the lead to nine points and Denver could only generate a pair of free throws down the stretch while MSU scored 9 points, mostly off their defensive trap. Denver hung on as a desperate heave from MSU missed the mark with under a second and DU exited the court with a win.
Next up is a road trip to Montana next Sunday when DU plays the Montana Griz at 5:00 pm MT. TV: ESPN+ Radio: 104.3 The Fan HD3
Most amazing game Dunker has watched in 50 years of following DU hoops. The tip-in at the buzzer hit 2 sides of the rim and fell to the floor. I was calm in the stretch. Sometimes that’s how someone acts when clinically diagnosed as being in shock.
How to attract the least number of fans as possible? Start a college basketball game at 2pm on a Sunday, the same time the Denver Broncos start a home game!
I assume it was to allow Montana State to catch a flight to Chicago, where they play Northwestern on Tuesday. Also, maybe Altitude 2 preferences.
Montana State was picked for second place in the Big Sky. I didn’t see the game, but I am glad DU came out with the win. Blowing a 21-point lead in the second half should provide plenty of lessons learned for this young and inexperienced DU team…