Bloch’s Career Day Powers UNC Past Fullerton, 97-93

Sunday, November 23

Portland, Ore.

12 p.m. MST | 11 a.m. PST

University of Northern Colorado

5-1,0-0Big Sky

California State - Fullerton

2-5,0-0Big West

Cal St. Fullerton

Northern Colo.

Men's Basketball at Portland Invitational

11/23/2025 2:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Northern Colorado gets five in double figures and sets four career highs while outlasting Cal State Fullerton in tournament finale.

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. — Northern Colorado men's basketball capped a demanding three-games-in-three-days stretch with a back-and-forth battle, outlasting Cal State Fullerton, 9-93, on Sunday afternoon at the Chiles Center to close the Portland Invitational at 2-1.

The Bears (5-1) rode a breakout performance from Zach Bloch, who poured in a career-high 32 points on career-best marks of nine made field goals and seven made threes. Bloch's shooting barrage, including six triples in the opening half, powered UNC to a 39-33 halftime lead and kept the Bears in control for most of the afternoon.

Northern Colorado's depth stepped up in key moments as legs fatigued. Ibu Yamazaki was flawless at the stripe, going 8-for-8, marking a new career high in made free throws while delivering all 10 of his points in the second half. Egan Shields added toughness inside with 12 points and set his own career high with four made free throws while adding eight rebounds.

Vincent Delano was steady throughout, posting 11 points while notching a career-high seven free throws, several of which halted Fullerton runs in the final minutes.

Despite Fullerton trimming the margin to one with just over 10 minutes remaining, UNC answered every push, leaning on Brock Wisne's 15 points and nine rebounds, Yamazaki's free-throw precision, and timely buckets from Quinn Denker (13 points).

The Bears' composure at the line proved decisive. Northern Colorado finished 34-of-40 (85%), including a stretch of 14 straight in the second half. Six Bears reached double figures as UNC closed out the Titans despite a 27-point effort from Bryce Cofield.

The Bears now return to Colorado looking to build on this momentum, playing at Air Force on Wednesday, November 26 at 4 p.m. MST.

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