University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Denker Shoots UNC Past Lumberjacks
2/1/2025 8:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Coaching Staff Dons Suits & Sneakers for Cancer Awareness
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.
To purchase tickets, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849. Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. TicketSmarter is the official resale marketplace of UNC athletics.
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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.
To purchase tickets, visit uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849. Tickets can also be purchased at the Campus Commons Ticket Office, Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. TicketSmarter is the official resale marketplace of UNC athletics.
About TicketSmarter.com
TicketSmarter® is a ticket resale marketplace and is not affiliated with Ticketmaster® or Live Nation®. TicketSmarter® is an online ticket marketplace and a proud member of the Digital Ally Companies (NASDAQ: DGLY). TicketSmarter® offers tickets to more than 125,000 live events ranging from concerts to sports and theatre shows.
TicketSmarter® is a primary and secondary ticketing solution for events and high-profile venues across North America including more than 300 professional sports teams and collegiate athletic departments. TicketSmarter® is also dedicated to giving back through contributions to charitable --organizations.
100% Ticket Guarantee
All purchases are backed with a TicketSmarter® ticket guarantee. Have peace of mind knowing when you make your purchase for any sporting event, concert or theatre show that your tickets will be valid. You will receive a 100% refund if the event is canceled and not rescheduled. You will also receive a 100% refund if your order is accepted but the tickets were not delivered by the seller or shipped in time for the event. TicketSmarter® also provides a worry-free guarantee that your tickets will be valid upon entry. If they are not valid, we will provide you with a refund.
Team Stats
NAU
UNC
FG%
.403
.518
3FG%
.125
.467
FT%
.708
.714
RB
42
31
TO
8
6
STL
0
5
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Head Coach Smiley, Jaron Rillie, Zach Bloch, and Isaiah Hawthorne Post Game Press Conference v Idaho
Sunday, February 23
Head Coach Steve Smiley, Jaron Rillie, and Quinn Denker Post Game Press Conference vs E Washington
Friday, February 21
Head Coach Steve Smiley, Quinn Denker, and Jaron Rillie Post Game Press Conference vs Montana State
Sunday, February 09
Langston Reynolds and Quinn Denker Post Game Press Conference vs NAU
Saturday, February 08