The Portland Pilots outplayed visiting Denver men’s basketball by nine points in the first half. DU returned the favor with a nine-point edge in the second twenty minutes of regulation to take the game to overtime. The Pilots eventually wore down Denver in the second overtime period to coast to a 101-90 win.

Trailing by nine points, Denver came out strong in the second half – eventually building an 11-point lead, 64-53, with six-and-a-half minutes remaining in the game. The Portland Pilots went on a 10-0 tear and, eventually, took the game to overtime. Denver went 1 of 13 from the field, stretching from regulation into the first overtime.

The teams traded points in extra time and it took a DeAndre Craig layup with the clock running down to send the game into a second overtime period. In the second five-minute period, DU went cold from the field and the bigger Pilot front line took over to grind down the Pioneers. The Pilots outscored DU 19 to 8 in the second OT to send Denver packing.

Pedro Lopez Sanvicente, DU’s only big man, played 45 minutes and scored 16 points with 7 rebounds in a strong effort against a big front line. Nicholas Shogbonyo led DU with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Freshman Sebastian Akins had 17 points and 5 rebounds in a solid floor game. Sophomore DeAndre Craig matched Sanvicente’s 16 points and pulled down 4 boards.

DU is learning to ‘play small’ with only 6 turnovers in regulation and 2 in overtime. Denver shot 41.3% from the field and 26% (10/39) from downtown. The team needs to improve its shot-making going forward and decrease personal fouls (26) but they appear more comfortable fielding a smaller lineup against a larger opponent until they can get front-line reinforcements in January.

DU returns home Wednesday at 7:00 pm at Hamilton Gym against Sacramento State.