Denver Pioneers Defeat Northern Colorado Bears 86-79
Saturday, December 20, 2025, 3:00 PM ET · Bank of Colorado Arena
Denver Pioneers 86, Northern Colorado Bears 79, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Denver Pioneers vs Northern Colorado Bears?
Denver Pioneers beat Northern Colorado Bears 86-79 at Bank of Colorado Arena on December 20, 2025.
Who was favored in Denver Pioneers vs Northern Colorado Bears?
Northern Colorado Bears were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -410 (about 80% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup, the Denver Pioneers emerged victorious against the Northern Colorado Bears with a final score of 86-79 at the Bank of Colorado Arena. This game was notable not only for the competitive spirit displayed but also because it marked a significant win for the Pioneers, improving their season record to 8-7, while the Bears fell to 9-4.
The Bears entered the game with a strong home record of 9-3 and had been performing well overall, boasting an 8-2 record in their last ten games. However, they were on a one-game losing streak after falling to the Texas Tech Red Raiders just three days prior, where they lost 90-101. The Bears had averaged 87.3 points scored per game in their last ten outings, while allowing 76.6 points, indicating a high-scoring offense but some vulnerabilities on defense.
On the other hand, the Pioneers had a mixed record of 7-7 prior to this game, with a recent form of 5-5 over their last ten games. They were coming off a significant win against the Colorado Colorado Springs Mountain Lions, where they dominated with a score of 129-93. The Pioneers had averaged 87.3 points scored and allowed 86.9 points in their last ten games, showcasing their offensive capabilities but also highlighting defensive struggles.
In terms of home and away performance, the Bears had a perfect home record of 4-0 in their last four games, while the Pioneers struggled on the road, with a record of 1-3 in their last four away games. This disparity added an intriguing layer to the matchup, as the Bears were expected to leverage their home advantage.
Historically, the Pioneers had faced the Bears once earlier in the season, winning that encounter 82-75. This previous victory likely provided them with confidence heading into this rematch.
The injury report did not indicate any significant absences for either team, allowing both sides to field their key players for this important contest. The market reflected the Bears as 8.5-point favorites according to DraftKings, with a total set at 159.5 points. The odds suggested a high-scoring affair, which indeed transpired as both teams showcased their offensive prowess.
The game conditions were typical for a December evening in Colorado, with fans filling the arena to support their teams. As the game progressed, the Pioneers capitalized on crucial moments in the second half, with key plays that shifted the momentum in their favor. Notably, Zane Nelson made a layup that brought the Pioneers ahead 77-75, followed by a layup from Brock Wisne that tied the game at 77. The Pioneers continued to build on this momentum, with Jeremiah Burke hitting a three-pointer to extend their lead to 81-77.
The Bears fought hard to stay in the game, with Ring Nyeri and Jeremiah Burke contributing important baskets. However, the Pioneers maintained their composure, ultimately sealing the victory with two free throws from Julius Rollins.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Pioneers celebrated a hard-fought win, while the Bears were left to regroup and address their defensive shortcomings. This matchup not only highlighted the competitive nature of both teams but also set the stage for their upcoming games as they continue their respective seasons.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UNCO -8.5 | 159.5 o -108 / u -112 | Denver Pioneers +320 · Northern Colorado Bears -410 |
Leaders
- PointsBrock Wisne27Northern Colorado Bears
- AssistsBrock Wisne4Northern Colorado Bears
- ReboundsRing Nyeri13Northern Colorado Bears
- PointsZane Nelson32Denver Pioneers
- AssistsZane Nelson3Denver Pioneers
- ReboundsGabe Oldham10Denver Pioneers
Recent form
Northern Colorado Bears
Last 10: 8-2Streak L187.3 scored · 76.6 allowed per game4-0 at home
- L90-101at Texas Tech Red RaidersDec 17
- W89-87vs South Dakota CoyotesDec 7
- W75-70at Omaha MavericksDec 4
- W104-63vs Regis University REGIS UNIVERSITYNov 30
- W71-53at Air Force FalconsNov 26
- W97-93vs Cal State Fullerton TitansNov 23
- W86-80at Portland PilotsNov 23
- L72-73at St. Thomas TommiesNov 22
- W88-81at Pepperdine WavesNov 16
- W101-65vs Colorado Christian CougarsNov 8
Denver Pioneers
Last 10: 5-5Streak W187.3 scored · 86.9 allowed per game1-3 away
- W129-93vs Colorado Colorado Springs Mountain LionsDec 17
- L86-105vs Cal State Fullerton TitansDec 13
- W97-61vs Alaska Anchorage SeawolvesDec 12
- W95-59vs Colorado Christian CougarsDec 10
- L79-93at Idaho State BengalsDec 6
- W93-89vs Eastern Washington EaglesDec 4
- L59-101at Wyoming CowboysNov 27
- L73-103at Arizona WildcatsNov 25
- W83-81at Colorado State RamsNov 22
- L79-84vs UTSA RoadrunnersNov 15
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga | 31-4 | - | 16-2 |
| Saint Mary's | 27-6 | - | 16-2 |
| Santa Clara | 26-9 | 1 | 15-3 |
| Oregon State | 17-16 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Seattle U | 21-14 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Pacific | 18-15 | 8 | 8-10 |
| San Francisco | 17-16 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Washington State | 12-20 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Loyola Marymount | 15-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Portland | 15-19 | 10 | 6-12 |
| San Diego | 12-21 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Pepperdine | 9-23 | 12 | 4-14 |
| Portland State | 20-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Montana State | 18-14 | 1 | 12-6 |
| Eastern Washington | 14-19 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Northern Colorado | 20-12 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Montana | 18-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Weber State | 16-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Idaho | 21-15 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Sacramento State | 10-21 | 8 | 6-12 |
| Idaho State | 13-20 | 8 | 5-13 |
| Northern Arizona | 10-22 | 9 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Denver Pioneers | Northern Colorado Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-57 | 35-72 |
| Field goal % | 53 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 8-15 | 5-25 |
| Three-point % | 53 | 20 |
| Free throws | 18-20 | 4-10 |
| Free throw % | 90 | 40 |
| Rebounds | 30 | 39 |
| Offensive rebounds | 3 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 24 |
| Assists | 9 | 10 |
| Steals | 8 | 4 |
| Blocks | 3 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 10 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 3 |
| Points in the paint | 40 | 58 |
| Fouls | 10 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 11 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 14 | 58 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half47-47Ring Nyeri makes layup (Ariik Mawien assists)
- 2nd Half47-49Brock Wisne makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half49-49Logan Kinsey makes layup (Jeremiah Burke assists)
- 2nd Half49-51Vincent Delano makes layup
- 2nd Half49-53Ariik Mawien makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half52-53Zane Nelson makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half52-55Brock Wisne makes layup
- 2nd Half52-57Ring Nyeri makes layup (Brock Wisne assists)
- 2nd Half54-57Zane Nelson makes layup
- 2nd Half55-57Zane Nelson makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half55-58Ariik Mawien makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-59Ariik Mawien makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-61Brock Wisne makes layup
- 2nd Half55-64Ring Nyeri makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ariik Mawien assists)
- 2nd Half55-66Brock Wisne makes driving layup
- 2nd Half57-66Zane Nelson makes layup
- 2nd Half57-68Ariik Mawien makes layup
- 2nd Half58-68Carson Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-68Carson Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-70Brock Wisne makes layup
- 2nd Half60-70Zane Nelson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-70Zane Nelson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-70Julius Rollins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-70Julius Rollins makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-70Julius Rollins makes layup (Zane Nelson assists)
- 2nd Half65-72Brock Wisne makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half67-72Zane Nelson makes layup
- 2nd Half69-72Carson Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half72-72Zane Nelson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Julius Rollins assists)
- 2nd Half72-73Zach Bloch makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-73Zane Nelson makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half75-75Brock Wisne makes 4-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half77-75Zane Nelson makes layup
- 2nd Half77-77Brock Wisne makes layup
- 2nd Half78-77Julius Rollins makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half81-77Jeremiah Burke makes 23-foot three point jumper (Zane Nelson assists)
- 2nd Half81-79Ring Nyeri makes 4-foot jumper
- 2nd Half83-79Jeremiah Burke makes layup
- 2nd Half85-79Gabe Oldham makes layup (Zane Nelson assists)
- 2nd Half86-79Julius Rollins makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Northern Colorado Bears, below favours Denver Pioneers.
Venue
- Bank of Colorado ArenaGreeley, CO
- Attendance1352
- OfficialsJohn Hampton, Nomi Kidwai, Jacob Hirz
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