![\"NCAA](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27759026.jpg\")
Dec 6, 2025; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Tad Boyle looks on in the first half against the Colorado State Rams at Moby Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nQuinn Denker returned to the lineup with a career-high 33 points and Northern Colorado beat Colorado 86-81 on Sunday in Boulder, Colo.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Denker, who missed the previous two games after hand surgery, hit all seven of his shots in the second half to lead Northern Colorado (10-3) to the upset. He added eight rebounds and eight assists.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Ibu Yamazaki scored 19 points and Brock Wisne had 13 points for the Bears, who got their first win over Colorado since 1936.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Isaiah Johnson scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Barrington Hargress scored 18 points, Bangot Dak contributed 16 points and Sebastian Rancik scored 14 for the Buffaloes (10-3).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Bears led 37-35 at halftime but Colorado answered with eight consecutive points to take its biggest lead, 49-43, with 15:14 remaining. Denker’s hook brought Northern Colorado within one and Yamazaki’s fourth 3-pointer of the day started a 7-0 run to make it 59-55.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Colorado responded to tie it at 66 on Dak’s 3-pointer but the Bears answered. Denker hit a 3-pointer, the Buffaloes turned it over and Zach Bloch hit from deep to give Northern Colorado a 74-68 lead with 5:40 remaining.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Johnson missed a layup out of a timeout, and Egan Shields hit two free throws to give the Bears an eight-point lead, but Colorado responded.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Hargress made two layups around a Northern Colorado turnover to cut the deficit to 76-72 at the last media timeout.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Another Bears turnover led to Johnson’s layup and Rancik tied it with two free throws with 3:16 left. Hargress answered two free throws by Denker and then hit a jumper to put the Buffaloes back in front, but Denker’s bucket tied it again at 80 with 1:31 left.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Denker’s turnaround gave Northern Colorado an 82-80 lead with 42 seconds left and Johnson split a pair of free throws with 26 seconds left to keep the Bears in front.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Yamazaki hit two free throws, the Buffaloes missed two 3-point attempts and Denker sealed it with two more free throws.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n