Denker Shoots UNC Past Lumberjacks

Saturday, February 1

Greeley, Colo.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

16-6,8-1Big Sky

Northern Arizona

13-9,4-5Big Sky

Northern Ariz.

Northern Colo.

2/1/2025 8:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Game Book (PDF)HC Smiley Postgame Presser Reynolds & Denker Postgame Presser

Coaching Staff Dons Suits & Sneakers for Cancer Awareness

By: Michael High, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – Quinn Denker sank a career-high five 3-pointers as Northern Colorado (16-6, 8-1 Big Sky) cruised to an 87-69 victory over Northern Arizona (13-9, 4-5 Big Sky) at Bank of Colorado Arena Saturday.

The eight wins through the first nine Big Sky games marked the best start for UNC since joining the league in 2006.

Denker converted four of his first five attempts, tallying 12 of his season-high 17 points in the opening half, helping the Bears build a 46-27 intermission advantage.

UNC netted the first 11 points of the game and held a 13-4 advantage at the first media timeout. NAU closed to 13-8 with 13:50 in the period. The Bears closed the half with a 33-17 run and held its largest margin of the opening 20 minutes at the break.

Langston Reynolds paced the Bear with 23 points, on 9 of 12 from the field. Jaron Rillie finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists, with no turnovers. Isaiah Hawthorne and Denker inked 17 points each.

UNC held Trenton McLaughlin, the Big Sky Conference leading scorer and preseason player of the year to no points on 0 of 8 shooting.

Rillie opened the largest gap of the game for the Bears at 29 (64-35) when he buried a triple with 12:29 left.

With Egan Shields in foul trouble and Brock Wisne out with an injury, Northern Arizona chipped away at the deficit. The Lumberjacks closed to 12, with 3:37 remaining but a pair of free throws by Rillie quelled the uprising with a 15-7 spurt over the final 3:08.

The Bears coaching staff donned suits and sneakers as part of Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Week, which is a nationwide event when basketball coaches across the country unite for a common cause – ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. The event raises awareness and brings attention to the cause during this week with coaches from all around the country wearing suits and sneakers.

UP NEXT: UNC tips off the second half of the Big Sky slate Monday at 7 p.m., when the Bears clash with Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho.

NEXT HOME GAME: UNC returns to Bank of Colorado Arena Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m., for a date with Montana.

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