Bears Outlast South Dakota in Overtime, Move to Program-Best 9-1 Start

Saturday, December 6

Greeley, Colo.

6 p.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

9-1,0-0Big Sky

South Dakota

5-5,0-0Summit League

OT 1

South Dakota

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Lexie Martin

12/6/2025 9:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado men's basketball continued its torrid opening month with another dramatic finish, outlasting South Dakota 89-87 in overtime on Saturday night inside Bank of Colorado Arena. With the win, the Bears improved to 9-1, officially securing the best start in program history while becoming the first UNC team ever to win three overtime games in a single season.

Egan Shields delivered one of the defining performances of his young career, powering UNC with 19 points, five rebounds, and a critical 11-of-14 at the free-throw line. The sophomore center was clutch late, calmly knocking down two free throws in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime.

UNC once again relied on its veteran balance and perimeter efficiency. Zach Bloch logged 41 minutes, pouring in 18 points with five made threes and four assists, orchestrating a steady offense throughout the second half and overtime. Ring Nyeri added eight points and four boards, including the game-winning tip-in with less than a second left to seal the victory. Brock Wisne remained a consistent interior presence, contributing eight points and three rebounds.

The Bears shot 51 percent from the floor and hit nine threes, while defensively holding the Coyotes to just 2-of-10 from beyond the arc. UNC's bench also supplied a major boost, outscoring South Dakota's reserves 37-16.

Northern Colorado led 45-40 at half before South Dakota surged back behind a 28-point effort from Isaac Bruns and a double-double from Cameron Fens. But in overtime, the Bears clamped down, getting stops on three of the Coyotes' final four possessions before Nyeri's decisive tip-in secured the program-record win.

Riding a six-game winning streak, UNC now turns its attention to a marquee road test at No. 19 Texas Tech as it continues its historic start. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MST/7 p.m. CST on Tuesday, December 16 inside United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas.

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