Denver men’s basketball (4-6) needed a game like tonight. Coming off a four-game losing streak on the road, the young, shorthanded team needed a good game for their confidence. The Pioneer guards overwhelmed the Hornets Wednesday night at Hamilton Gym. Denver shot Sacramento State out of the gym going 14-34 (43%) from three-point range and coasted to a well-deserved win.

Denver was shooting 80% from the field as Sac State trailed 35-11 at the midway point of the first half. The Hornets started to use their superior size as Pedro Lopez Sanvicente fell into foul trouble with three personal fouls in the half. With two minutes remaining, a layup pulled Sac State within 14 points, 45-31, but that was as close as the visitors could get and the first twenty minutes ended, 47-31. Denver nailed eight three-point shots in the half and shot 53% from the field, extinguishing any meaningful offensive runs by the Hornets.

The second half was more of the same as Denver turned up the defense and shot 48% to protect their double-digit lead. The Pioneers continued their hot shooting from downtown, going 6 of 14, to build on their lead. Denver carried a 22-point lead at the midway mark of the half. Nicholas Shogbonyo, freshman Sebastian Akins and sophomore DeAndre Craig carried DU down the stretch and head coach Jeff Wulbrun played deep into the Pioneer bench. Final score, 80-59.

Emerging freshman guard Sebastian Akins paced DU with 22 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Sophomore DeAndre Craig finished with 18 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds. Denver shot a sizzling 51% from the floor and 41% from three-point range, Denver had only 10 turnovers for the game. The undersized Pioneers beat Sac State on the boards, 35-30, in an impressive show of hustle and effort.

Next up is Portland State on Saturday afternoon in Stumptown before returning next week to Hamilton Gym on Tuesday, December 10th against UCCS at 7:00 pm MT.