DU dropped a nonconference game Saturday afternoon at Hamilton Gym against the Northern Colorado Bears and fell to 6-9. Ironically, Denver fans are witnessing, perhaps, the best young backcourt in the history of Denver men’s basketball, spearheaded by transfer Nicholas Shogbonyo (15.1 ppg., 4.9 rbs.), sophomore DeAndre Craig (13.2 ppg., 3.3 rebs.) and freshmen Sebastian Akins (12.3 ppg., 2.3 rebs.). Since DU is absent a true low-post defender, DU was outscored 40-14 in the paint and committed 29 fouls trying to keep the Bears on the perimeter. Still, Denver stayed in contact, trailing by one point with a little more than a minute remaining but the Bears finally pulled away for the win, 82-75.

Denver gets a needed break to recharge and prepare for the opening of conference play on January 2nd against South Dakota State in Brookings, South Dakota. Help should be on the way with 7’0″ Abdulai Fanta Kabba set to join DU squad in early January. Denver will still be missing two other pivot players but the Pioneers will finally gain a post presence with Kabba.

Denver went 8 of 12 from downtown in the first half and shot 64% from the field to build a 42-36 lead. The Bears stayed close to DU with 22 points in the paint and shot 61% from the floor to stay in contact with Denver. Opponents are scouting the Pioneers and taking advantage of the lack of size on both the offensive and defensive ends.

The Pioneers shooting cooled early in the second half while UNC heated up along with early fouls by Denver. The Bears sunk 9-12 free throws in the half and shot 50% (4-8) from beyond the arc in the second half to take control of the game. With 8:15 remaining, UNC’s Langston Reynolds buried a tomahawk dunk to extend the Bear’s lead to six points, 64-58, but once again, DU clawed back on the visitors. At 1:14, a Shogbonyo free throw pulled DU within one point but a three-point make by UNC’s Isaiah Hawthorne and four free throws in the final minute put the game away for the Bears.