PREVIEW: Bears Look to Build Momentum Friday Night Against Colorado Christian

Friday, November 7

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

Colorado Christian

Tickets

Photo by: Kassidy Schwartz, UNC Athletics

11/5/2025 2:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball

UNC Game Notes

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – The Northern Colorado men's basketball team (1-0) returns to Bank of Colorado Arena on Friday night, looking to build on its season-opening victory as it hosts Colorado Christian (0-0). Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MST.

Fan's can watch Friday's game on ESPN+ and listen from anywhere at PirateRadio935.com.

BALANCED ATTACK IN SEASON OPENER: Northern Colorado tipped off the 2025-26 season in dominant fashion, rolling past Colorado College 91-57 on Monday night at Bank of Colorado Arena. The Bears showed off their trademark offensive efficiency, shooting 51.6 percent from the field and assisting on 26 of 33 made field goals. Eleven players entered the scoring column, three reached double figures, and UNC controlled nearly every statistical category; including a 48-24 advantage on the glass and 42 points in the paint.

DENKER LEADS A DEEP BACKCOURT: Senior guard Quinn Denker set the tone for the Bears in the opener with 13 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in 25 minutes of play. One of the Big Sky's top returning playmakers, Denker continues to anchor a veteran backcourt that emphasizes tempo, spacing, and unselfish ball movement. He was joined by Zach Bloch, who tallied eight points, four assists, and two steals, helping UNC record 26 assists, the most since November 2024.

NEWCOMERS MAKE IMMEDIATE IMPACT: Several fresh faces made strong first impressions in the season opener. Sophomore Ariik Mawien scored 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including two threes, in his collegiate debut. Junior transfer Ibu Yamazaki added nine points and four rebounds while hitting three shots from deep. Newcomers Chancellor White (11 pts), Vincent Delano (7 reb, 2 ast), and Ring Nyeri (5 pts, 6 reb) also provided energy off the bench.

DEFENSE AND DISCIPLINE DEFINE THE WIN: UNC's defense was equally sharp, forcing 13 turnovers and holding Colorado College to 41 percent shooting overall. The Bears limited the Tigers to just four made three-pointers and outscored them 18-7 in points off turnovers. UNC's ability to pressure the ball without fouling, committing only 11 fouls all game, allowed for consistent tempo control and transition opportunities throughout the night.

SMILEY CONTINUES TO BUILD A WINNING STANDARD: Now in his sixth season at the helm, head coach Steve Smiley has established Northern Colorado as one of the Big Sky's most consistent programs. Smiley entered the 2025-26 season as the winningest coach in UNC's Division I era, with four post-season appearances and a share of last year's Big Sky regular-season championship.

SCOUTING THE COUGARS: Northern Colorado and Colorado Christian meet for the 12th time on Friday night, renewing a series that dates back to 1978. The Bears claimed a decisive 113-56 win in last season's matchup at Bank of Colorado Arena, shooting 75 percent in the first half and 68 percent from three while holding the Cougars to 36.8 percent from the field. The Cougars, a Division II member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), finished the 2024-25 season 13-15 under head coach Liam Simmons. CCU is led by returning redshirt senior Schafer Reichart, who averaged 7.1 points per game while shooting over 40 percent from the floor.

THE SERIES:

Northern Colorado holds a 6-5 advantage in the all-time series against Colorado Christian, which dates back to the 1993-94 season.

The programs have met 11 times overall, including last year's matchup in Greeley when the Bears rolled to a 113-56 victory.

UNC has won five straight meetings in the series, with each of those coming by double digits.

The Bears have averaged 91.8 points per game during that stretch while holding the Cougars to just 60.4 points per contest.

IN THE POLLS: Northern Colorado was slotted third in both Big Sky Coaches' and Media polls as the Bears return a talented core from last season's title squad, aiming to remain among the league's elite and contend for another championship in 2025-26. Idaho was selected fourth in both polls after earning its first Big Sky Tournament win since 2017 last year in Boise. The 2026 Big Sky Basketball Championships will take place March 7-11 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho.

UP NEXT: The Bears will take a six-day break before traveling to Malibu, California to kick off a five game road stretch as they take on Pepperdine at 7 p.m. MST.

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