DU could have used this performance in Kansas City last week when they fell to the Roos, 64-56. Instead, they needed a win today at Hamilton Gym against South Dakota State and a loss by UMKC tonight to avoid the ‘dreaded play-in game’ at the Summit League Tournament next week. Now, they must wait and watch games to finish this evening to receive their final tournament seed. It was senior day for Pedro Sanvicente, Isaiah Addo-Ankrah and Ben Bowen. However, it was a ferocious defensive effort and freshman Sebastian Akins with a team-leading 17 points who controlled the second half to secure the final regular season win.
In the opening minutes, DU ran out to a 8-0 lead. SDSU big man Oscar Cluff gave the Jackrabbits a 16-15 lead at the midway point of the first half and that was the last lead the Jackrabbits would hold. A Josh Pickett three-point splash regained the lead and DU never looked back. A pair of consecutive three-point makes by freshman Jon Mani gave the Pioneers a double-digit lead, 26-16, along with several critical Mani steals. The visitors cut the lead to four points but DU rebuilt their lead, capped by a pair of Sebastian Akins free throws, to go up 44-35 at the break.
South Dakota State went cold from the field in the second half, shooting 35% and 6 of 13 from the line. DU’s swarming defense created 12 turnovers and doubled up the Jackrabbits bench points 9-18. Eight minutes into the half, an Isaiah Addo Ankrah three-point make gave Denver a 17-point lead, their largest of the game. From that point forward, it was the Sebastian Akins show with 7 points down the stretch, another Addo-Ankrah three-point make and DeAndre Criag scoring to close out the game, 78-62
In addition to Sebastian Akins 17 points. DeAndre Craig finished with 16 points and freshman Josh Pickett completed the day with 11 points. Graduating grad student Addo-Ankrah finished with 12 points, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds. Jon Mani was the floor disruptor with 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals.
UMKC plays tonight at 6:00 pm MT against St. Thomas to determine the final Summit League Conference seeding. The play-in game for Denver is Wednesday, March 5th in Sioux Falls, South Dakota if UMKC wins. If Denver avoids that fate, they will be assigned to a Thursday match-up in the Summit League Tournament.
It sure would be nice to know more about what happened to Coach Jeff Wulbrun.
Yes, it would. I’ve never seen such a poorly handled situation and terrible treatment of a good person.
At this point, we do not have enough detail to comment or speculate on head Coach Wulbrun’s leave. We can be clear in stating that he has done an excellent job for DU, he is the right coach for the job and we want him to return – full stop.
UMKC lost Saturday night so DU avoids the play-in game.