It was Déjà vu all over again. The under-sized Pioneers (6-14, 0-5), without their starting point guard DeAndre Craig, could not hold off the Omaha Mavericks at Hamilton gym Wednesday night. When the Mavs drove inside the paint they either found points (30) or were fouled (18-22 – 82%). When the Pioneers collapsed to defend the paint, Omaha passed to the perimeter and buried 10-18 three-point shots (55.6%) to hold the lead most of the game. It was Denver’s 8th loss in a row while the Mavs maintained first place in the Summit League with the win, their 7th in a row.
The bright spots were few but freshman Sebastian Akins scored a silky smooth 16 points leading the Pioneer scoring and big-man Kabba Abdulai Fanta is starting to show flashes with 10 points (4-5) and 8 rebounds. Otherwise, many of the same issues surfaced during this game that have been present during the frustrating losing streak.
The first half, Denver struggled to score the ball. Denver only scored eleven buckets and shot 25% from three (2-8). Denver took the lead 11-10 on a jumper by Akins eight minutes into the game but that is the last lead DU would hold. Cold shooting the final twelve minutes by Denver and the visitors pulled away, 36-28, at halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Mavs buried Denver on a 9-3 run to build a 45-31 lead. Denver got within ten points several times down the stretch but the gap was too much to overcome as Denver fell 80-62.
DU shot 43% from the field to 53% from the Mavs. The Mavs led most offensive and defensive categories on the night ina disappointing result. JJ White and Tony Osburn led the Mavs scoring with 15 points each.
DU goes on the road to face an outstanding St. Thomas team (14-5, 4-0) Saturday at 6:00 pm MT.
