Bears Fall to Montana in Starch Madness Battle

Monday, March 9

Boise, Idaho

5:30 p.m. MST

University of Northern Colorado

20-12,10-8Big Sky

Montana

17-15,10-8Big Sky

Northern Colo.

Montana

Photo by: Big Sky Conference

3/9/2026 9:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Brooke Richards, Director of Strategic Communications

BOISE, Idaho – Northern Colorado battled back in the second half but fell to Montana, 95-89, Monday night in the third round of Starch Madness, the Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Championship, at Idaho Central Arena.

Montana built a 49-32 lead at halftime behind efficient shooting in the opening 20 minutes. The Bears responded with a strong offensive effort after the break, scoring 57 second-half points and cutting the deficit to single digits several times, but the Grizzlies held off the late push.

Quinn Denker led Northern Colorado with 29 points and eight assists while going 10-for-12 from the free-throw line. Ibu Yamazaki added 16 points with three made three-pointers, while Brock Wisne recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Ring Nyeri chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds as UNC finished with 15 assists and 46 points in the paint.

Denker's performance added to a historic season for the Bears' point guard, who finished the year with 211 assists, the most in a single season in program history, surpassing the previous record of 202 set by Jonah Radebaugh during the 2019-20 season.

Zach Bloch also continued to move up the program record book, finishing the year with 93 made three-pointers, tied for the third-most in a single season in UNC history, while also recording 46 steals, tied for eighth in a single season. Bloch also ranks seventh all-time in career three-pointers made with 203 and sits atop the program's all-time games played list with 133 appearances.

Wisne added to his place among the program's top scorers as well, ranking ninth all-time in career points and fourth in field goals made in Northern Colorado history.

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).