Denker’s Career-High 35 Powers UNC Past Idaho, Snaps Five-Game Skid

Thursday, January 29

Greeley, Colo.

7 p.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

12-10,2-7Big Sky

Idaho

12-9,4-4Big Sky

Idaho

Northern Colo.

Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics

1/29/2026 9:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

GREELEY, Colo. – The University of Northern Colorado men's basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak Thursday night behind a career performance from Quinn Denker, knocking off Idaho, 91-83, at Bank of Colorado Arena.

Denker poured in a career-high 35 points to lead Northern Colorado (12-10, 2-7 Big Sky), delivering a complete offensive showing while guiding the Bears to their highest-scoring conference outing of the season. The senior guard added 10 assists and seven rebounds, accounting for 45 of UNC's 91 points while playing nearly the full 40 minutes.

Idaho (12-9, 4-4 Big Sky) controlled early stretches of a back-and-forth opening half, using balanced scoring and steady free-throw shooting to build a seven-point advantage midway through the period. The Vandals led for over 10 minutes in the opening frame, but Northern Colorado stayed within striking distance as Denker repeatedly answered on the offensive end, scoring 16 first-half points to keep the Bears within one possession.

UNC closed the half with momentum and trailed just 37-36 at the break, setting the stage for a decisive second-half surge.

The Bears opened the second half with renewed efficiency, reclaiming the lead less than two minutes in and never relinquishing it again. Northern Colorado shot 60.7 percent from the field after halftime and went 7-of-12 from three-point range in the final 20 minutes, stretching the margin to double digits on multiple occasions. Denker scored 19 of his 35 points in the second half, including several timely threes and finishes in transition that pushed the Bears' lead to as many as 12.

Idaho attempted to rally behind Jackson Rasmussen, who finished with 26 points, but Northern Colorado answered each push with poise at the offensive end and strong interior play. The Bears outscored the Vandals 55-46 in the second half and held a decisive edge in the paint, finishing with 44 points inside.

Alongside Denker, Brock Wisne added 16 points, while Zach Bloch chipped in 12 and Ring Nyeri contributed nine points and 10 rebounds. Northern Colorado finished the night shooting 52.6 percent from the floor and posted a season-best offensive showing in Big Sky play.

UP NEXT: The Bears host Eastern Washington on Saturday, January 31 at 2 p.m. MST for Coaches vs Cancer Night with coverage available on PirateRadio935.com and ESPN+.

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