Bears Come Up Short Against Sacramento State in Overtime, 93-89

Saturday, January 17

Sacramento, Calif.

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

University of Northern Colorado

11-8,1-5Big Sky

Sacramento State

6-11,2-3Big Sky

OT 1

Northern Colo.

Sacramento St.

1/17/2026 11:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Northern Colorado led for nearly 39 minutes and built an 18-point second-half advantage, but Sacramento State stormed back with a 51-point second half and edged the Bears, 93-89, in overtime Saturday night at Hornet Pavilion.

The Bears came out sharp on both ends, holding Sacramento State to 30.3 percent shooting in the first half while pushing the pace offensively. UNC opened a double-digit cushion early, then kept adding to it behind efficient finishing inside and timely threes, taking a 43-31 lead into the break after shooting 66.7 percent in the opening 20 minutes.

Northern Colorado continued to control the game into the second half and stretched its lead to 18, 62-44, with 13:45 remaining. Sacramento State answered with a surge fueled by perimeter shooting and trips to the free-throw line, cutting into the margin as UNC fought to keep its footing through the final eight minutes.

Despite the Hornets' push, the Bears had opportunities late. Sacramento State tied the game at 78 on a layup with 2:15 left, then briefly moved in front at the free-throw line. Quinn Denker knocked down a pair of one-and-one free throws with 2:10 remaining to put UNC back ahead, 80-79, before Sacramento State closed regulation at the stripe to force overtime, 82-82.

In the extra period, Sacramento State scored first with a 3-pointer and followed with late free throws to create separation. Northern Colorado trimmed it to two on an Egan Shields finish with 18 seconds left, but the Hornets iced the game at the line before Vincent Delano's bucket at the horn made the final 93-89.

Denker posted a monster line with 29 points and 11 assists, adding six rebounds and four steals in 42:43. Delano added 13 points and Ring Nyeri finished with 11, while Brock Wisne and Zach Bloch scored nine apiece. Northern Colorado shot 51.5 percent from the field and scored 52 points in the paint, but Sacramento State's 34 free-throw attempts and 15 second-chance points proved decisive.

Sacramento State was led by Prophet Johnson's 30 points, while Mark Lavrenov added 17 points and 17 rebounds as the Hornets earned the overtime win.

UP NEXT: Northern Colorado returns home to continue Big Sky play on Monday, Jan. 19, welcoming Montana State to Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, Colo. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. MST, with the game airing on ESPN+ and Pirate Radio.

FOLLOW THE BEARS: Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action at uncbears.com and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsMBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsMBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsMBB).