Northern Colorado Bears Upset Colorado Buffaloes 86-81
Sunday, December 28, 2025, 3:00 PM ET · CU Events Center
Northern Colorado Bears 86, Colorado Buffaloes 81, 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 Northern Colorado Bears vs Colorado Buffaloes?
Northern Colorado Bears beat Colorado Buffaloes 86-81 at CU Events Center on December 28, 2025.
Who was favored in Northern Colorado Bears vs Colorado Buffaloes?
Colorado Buffaloes were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1650 (about 94% implied). The underdog won.
In an exciting matchup at the CU Events Center, the Northern Colorado Bears defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 86-81, marking a significant upset in the NCAAB season. Both teams entered the game with identical records of 10-3, making this contest particularly intriguing as they vied for supremacy in their respective campaigns.
The Buffaloes had shown strong form leading up to this game, boasting an 8-2 record in their last ten outings. However, they were coming off a loss to the Stanford Cardinal, which interrupted a promising stretch. Their average scoring during this period was notable at 85.0 points per game, while they allowed 74.5 points, indicating a propensity for high-scoring affairs. At home, they had been particularly formidable, holding an 8-1 record, but their recent performance raised questions about their consistency.
On the other hand, the Bears had also been performing well with a 7-3 record in their last ten games, although they were on a two-game losing streak, having lost to the Denver Pioneers and Texas Tech Red Raiders. They averaged 85.1 points scored and allowed 78.7 points during this stretch, showcasing their ability to compete offensively. Their away record stood at 4-2, indicating they could perform well outside their home environment.
In their previous meeting earlier in the season, the Buffaloes narrowly defeated the Bears 90-88, which added an extra layer of intensity to this rematch. The matchup was expected to be close, with the betting lines reflecting this sentiment. DraftKings set the spread at Colorado -15.5, with a total of 158.5 points for the game. The moneyline odds were heavily tilted in favor of the Buffaloes at -1650, while the Bears were listed at +950, highlighting the perceived disparity in team strength.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams would have been keen to field their best players for such a crucial game. The conditions at the CU Events Center were typical for a winter evening, with a lively atmosphere as fans gathered to support their teams.
As the game unfolded, it became evident that the Bears were not intimidated by the Buffaloes' home advantage. The scoring plays in the second half showcased a back-and-forth battle, with key contributions from players like Barrington Hargress and Quinn Denker. Hargress hit a crucial 12-foot step back jumper, while Denker made several pivotal shots, including a 9-foot jumper that tied the game at 80-80. Denker's performance was instrumental, as he also converted free throws down the stretch, ultimately sealing the victory for Northern Colorado.
The final score of 86-81 not only marked a significant win for the Bears but also highlighted the Buffaloes' struggles to maintain their early season momentum. This game serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of college basketball, where any team can rise to the occasion and claim victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | COLO -15.5 | 158.5 o -115 / u -105 | Northern Colorado Bears +950 · Colorado Buffaloes -1650 |
Leaders
- PointsIsaiah Johnson25Colorado Buffaloes
- AssistsBarrington Hargress5Colorado Buffaloes
- ReboundsIsaiah Johnson8Colorado Buffaloes
- PointsQuinn Denker33Northern Colorado Bears
- AssistsQuinn Denker8Northern Colorado Bears
- ReboundsQuinn Denker8Northern Colorado Bears
Recent form
Colorado Buffaloes
Last 10: 8-2Streak L185 scored · 74.5 allowed per game8-1 at home
- L68-77vs Stanford CardinalDec 21
- W84-73vs Portland State VikingsDec 18
- W88-64vs UTSA RoadrunnersDec 13
- L86-91at Colorado State RamsDec 6
- W78-70vs California Baptist LancersDec 2
- W81-68vs Washington HuskiesNov 28
- W79-69vs San Francisco DonsNov 27
- W95-79vs UC Davis AggiesNov 22
- W94-66vs Alabama State HornetsNov 18
- W97-88vs Providence FriarsNov 15
Northern Colorado Bears
Last 10: 7-3Streak L285.1 scored · 78.7 allowed per game4-2 away
- L79-86vs Denver PioneersDec 20
- 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
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Arizona | 36-3 | - | 16-2 |
| Houston | 30-7 | 2 | 14-4 |
| Iowa State | 29-8 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Kansas | 24-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| Texas Tech | 23-11 | 4 | 12-6 |
| TCU | 23-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| BYU | 23-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| UCF | 21-12 | 7 | 9-9 |
| West Virginia | 21-14 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Cincinnati | 18-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Colorado | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Arizona State | 17-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma State | 20-15 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Baylor | 17-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Kansas State | 12-20 | 13 | 3-15 |
| Utah | 10-22 | 14 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Northern Colorado Bears | Colorado Buffaloes |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 31-59 | 30-76 |
| Field goal % | 53 | 39 |
| Three-pointers | 11-21 | 7-23 |
| Three-point % | 52 | 30 |
| Free throws | 13-17 | 14-15 |
| Free throw % | 76 | 93 |
| Rebounds | 39 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 32 | 22 |
| Assists | 17 | 11 |
| Steals | 2 | 5 |
| Blocks | 0 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 5 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 5 | 16 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 17 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 44 |
| Fouls | 12 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 6 |
| Lead changes | 7 | 7 |
| Time in front | 57 | 15 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half46-51Felix Kossaras makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half48-51Egan Shields makes layup (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half50-51Quinn Denker makes 7-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half50-52Elijah Malone makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-53Elijah Malone makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-53Quinn Denker makes 16-foot jumper
- 2nd Half52-55Bangot Dak makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half55-55Ibu Yamazaki makes 23-foot three point jumper (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half56-55Quinn Denker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-55Quinn Denker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-55Brock Wisne makes layup (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half59-58Isaiah Johnson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Josiah Sanders assists)
- 2nd Half61-58Quinn Denker makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-60Sebastian Rancik makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half64-60Ibu Yamazaki makes 22-foot three point jumper (Brock Wisne assists)
- 2nd Half64-63Sebastian Rancik makes 24-foot three point jumper (Barrington Hargress assists)
- 2nd Half66-63Ibu Yamazaki makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half66-66Bangot Dak makes 24-foot three point jumper (Barrington Hargress assists)
- 2nd Half68-66Brock Wisne makes layup (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half68-68Elijah Malone makes 5-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half71-68Quinn Denker makes 23-foot three point jumper (Zach Bloch assists)
- 2nd Half74-68Zach Bloch makes 25-foot three point jumper (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half75-68Egan Shields makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-68Egan Shields makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-70Barrington Hargress makes driving layup
- 2nd Half76-72Barrington Hargress makes driving layup (Felix Kossaras assists)
- 2nd Half76-74Isaiah Johnson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half76-75Sebastian Rancik makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-76Sebastian Rancik makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-76Quinn Denker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-76Quinn Denker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-78Barrington Hargress makes layup
- 2nd Half78-80Barrington Hargress makes 12-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half80-80Quinn Denker makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half82-80Quinn Denker makes 4-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half82-81Isaiah Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half83-81Ibu Yamazaki makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half84-81Ibu Yamazaki makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half85-81Quinn Denker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half86-81Quinn Denker makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Colorado Buffaloes, below favours Northern Colorado Bears.
Venue
- CU Events CenterBoulder, CO
- Attendance8347
- OfficialsKipp Kissinger, Chris Merlo, Chance Moore
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