Denker, Bears Battle to the Buzzer in 76-73 Road Setback

Thursday, January 15

Portland, Ore.

8 p.m. MST | 7 p.m. PST

University of Northern Colorado

11-7,1-4Big Sky

Portland State

10-5,4-0Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Portland St.

Photo by: Portland State Athletics

1/15/2026 10:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. – Northern Colorado carried an early lead into halftime and had a chance to steal it in the final seconds, but Portland State's late free throws sealed a 76-73 Big Sky decision Thursday night at Viking Pavilion.

The Bears (11-7, 1-4 Big Sky) led for most of the opening period and went into the break up 33-28, knocking down seven threes in the first half and forcing Portland State (10-5, 4-0 Big Sky) into 1-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc. But turnovers shaped the early flow on both sides, with each team committing 13 in the first half. The Vikings made the difference by turning those miscues into points, scoring 18 points off turnovers compared to eight for UNC.

Portland State took its first lead of the night at the 15:56 mark of the second half, 36-35, and the game stayed tight from there. Quinn Denker answered with a three-point play at the 13:04 mark to pull the Bears even at 44-44, part of a back-and-forth stretch that featured five ties.

The Vikings gained separation midway through the half, winning the paint (38-24) and controlling the glass (38-23), including 11 offensive rebounds that led to 13 second-chance points. Portland State shot 55.2 percent after halftime and hit 16 of its 29 second-half field goals to build its largest lead of seven, 69-62, with 5:33 to play.

Northern Colorado kept fighting despite mounting foul trouble late: Brock Wisne, Zach Bloch, Ring Nyeri, and Egan Shields each played with at least three fouls down the stretch, and the Bears closed within one possession in the final minute. Denker hit two free throws with 28 seconds left to cut it to 74-71, then Bloch came up with a steal on Portland State's inbounds pass and drew a foul on a three-point attempt. Bloch missed the first free throw but made the final two to bring UNC within one, 74-73.

After Portland State split a pair of free throws in the closing seconds, Denker's halfcourt heave attempt at the horn came up short, ending the Bears' late push.

Denker finished with 18 points and six assists, while Wisne added 16 points and Nyeri scored 12. Bloch chipped in 11 points, going 2-for-6 from three and 5-for-7 at the line.

UP NEXT: Northern Colorado continues its road swing Saturday at Sacramento State.

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