Denker, Wisne Pace Bears In 88-81 Overtime Win At Pepperdine

Saturday, November 15

Malibu, Calif.

7 p.m. MST | 6 p.m. PST

University of Northern Colorado

3-0,0-0Big Sky

Pepperdine

2-2,0-0WCC

OT 1

Northern Colo.

Pepperdine

11/15/2025 10:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

MALIBU, Calif. – Northern Colorado men's basketball remained unbeaten with a gritty 88-81 road win at Pepperdine on Saturday night inside Firestone Fieldhouse.

Behind Quinn Denker's 26 points and a career high eight rebounds, Northern Colorado (3-0) led for over 23 minutes in a matchup that stayed within single digits nearly the entire way. Four Bears finished in double figures as UNC survived Pepperdine's second half surge and closed out its first road test of the season.

Both teams took time to settle in offensively before the Bears pieced together an early 9-2 stretch to build a 21-16 edge midway through the first half. Pepperdine countered with pressure and timely scoring, tying the game multiple times, but UNC's balance helped it keep control.

Northern Colorado held Pepperdine to a 1-of-9 mark from three in the opening 20 minutes and dominated the glass, posting a 20-14 rebounding advantage. A late 11-3 Bears run, capped by a Zach Bloch transition three with seven seconds left, sent UNC into the break ahead 41-31, its largest lead of the night.

Pepperdine found its rhythm immediately after halftime, heating up from the floor and outscoring Northern Colorado 43-33 in the second period. The Waves used an offensive burst to tie the game at 61 with just over six minutes remaining.

Northern Colorado responded with poise.

Denker attacked downhill for key finishes at the rim, while Ring Nyeri controlled the interior. The 6-foot-8 forward posted a career high defensive night with 10 rebounds and five blocks, three of which came in the final 10 minutes as UNC protected a narrow margin.

Bloch delivered another steadying presence, finishing with 16 points and a career-high five assists in 39 minutes while shooting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Forward Brock Wisne added 16 points and 10 rebounds, giving the Bears two players with double-digit boards and a commanding 47-38 advantage on the glass.

Vincent Delano continued his efficient start to the season, producing 14 points on 3-of-5 shooting with two threes and a 6-of-8 performance at the line. Egan Shields rounded out UNC's interior dominance with eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.

The Bears weathered a late push as Pepperdine cut the margin multiple times in the final minutes, but Northern Colorado closed the game by holding the Waves without a field goal for the final minute of overtime, where UNC sealed the victory with a 14-7 advantage in the extra period.

Pepperdine's Styles Phipps led all Waves scorers with 22 points, while Aaron Clark added 20.

Northern Colorado shot 48.4 percent from the field, hit nine threes, and outscored Pepperdine 28-15 in bench points. UNC also produced a 12-9 edge in second chance points.

The Bears continue their road stretch, playing three games in three days at the Portland Invitational, November 21-23. Northern Colorado will tip off against St. Thomas at 5:30 p.m. MST at Chiles Center on Friday with coverage on ESPN+.

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