Lumberjacks Edge Bears in Thrilling Finish
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 81, Northern Colorado Bears 77, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Northern Colorado Bears vs Northern Arizona Lumberjacks?
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks beat Northern Colorado Bears 81-77 at J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome on January 24, 2026.
Who was favored in Northern Colorado Bears vs Northern Arizona Lumberjacks?
Northern Colorado Bears were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -258 (about 72% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks triumphed over the Northern Colorado Bears with a final score of 81-77. This victory marks a significant achievement for the Lumberjacks, who had been struggling with a seven-game losing streak prior to this game. The matchup took place at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, where the Lumberjacks managed to turn their fortunes around against an opponent they had previously lost to twice in the 2025 season.
The Lumberjacks entered the game with a home record of 7-14 and had been averaging 71.2 points while allowing 76.5 points over their last ten games, resulting in a record of 2-8. Their recent form had seen them score an average of 67.4 points and allow 80.6 points in their last five outings. In contrast, the Bears had an away record of 11-10 and were averaging 79.5 points while allowing 83.5 points in their last ten games, with a record of 2-8. In their last five games, the Bears had scored an average of 77.2 points while allowing 78.0 points.
The matchup was particularly important for the Lumberjacks, who were looking to break their losing streak and improve their overall performance. Their previous meetings with the Bears had not gone in their favor, losing both encounters in the 2025 season with scores of 73-83 and 69-87. The Lumberjacks' recent struggles had raised questions about their ability to compete effectively, but they rose to the occasion in this game.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but both teams were likely affected by the wear and tear of the season as they approached this critical matchup.
As for the betting lines, DraftKings had the Bears favored by 6.5 points, with a total set at 150.5. The moneyline odds were +210 for the Lumberjacks and -258 for the Bears, indicating that the market expected a competitive game but leaned towards the Bears as the stronger side.
The game conditions were conducive to an exciting atmosphere, with both teams eager to secure a much-needed win. The Lumberjacks' ability to capitalize on free throws proved crucial in the closing moments. Key plays included Ryan Abelman making two critical free throws that helped extend the Lumberjacks' lead, and Kavon Bradford also contributing with free throws that kept the momentum in favor of the home team.
As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a thrilling display of basketball, with both teams exchanging leads and showcasing their offensive skills. The Lumberjacks' victory not only snapped their losing streak but also provided a much-needed boost of confidence as they look to build on this performance in their upcoming games.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UNCO -6.5 | 150.5 o -108 / u -112 | Northern Colorado Bears -258 · Northern Arizona Lumberjacks +210 |
Leaders
- PointsChris Komin24Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
- AssistsTraivar Jackson5Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
- ReboundsTraivar Jackson5Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
- PointsBrock Wisne18Northern Colorado Bears
- AssistsBrock Wisne5Northern Colorado Bears
- ReboundsRing Nyeri7Northern Colorado Bears
Recent form
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Last 10: 2-8Streak L771.2 scored · 76.5 allowed per game2-3 at home
- L72-98vs Montana GrizzliesJan 20
- L52-63at Portland State VikingsJan 17
- L69-83at Sacramento State HornetsJan 16
- L79-81vs Idaho State BengalsJan 11
- L65-78vs Weber State WildcatsJan 9
- L68-77at Montana State BobcatsJan 4
- L64-78at Montana GrizzliesJan 1
- W112-60vs Benedictine Mesa RedhawksDec 30
- L66-90at Incarnate Word CardinalsDec 21
- W65-57vs Southern Utah ThunderbirdsDec 19
Northern Colorado Bears
Last 10: 2-8Streak L479.5 scored · 83.5 allowed per game1-5 away
- L68-73vs Montana State BobcatsJan 20
- L89-93at Sacramento State HornetsJan 18
- L73-76at Portland State VikingsJan 16
- L71-76vs Weber State WildcatsJan 11
- W85-72vs Idaho State BengalsJan 9
- L79-88at Montana GrizzliesJan 3
- L75-89at Montana State BobcatsJan 2
- W86-81at Colorado BuffaloesDec 28
- L79-86vs Denver PioneersDec 20
- L90-101at Texas Tech Red RaidersDec 17
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 |
Box score
| Stat | Northern Colorado Bears | Northern Arizona Lumberjacks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-58 | 29-49 |
| Field goal % | 50 | 59 |
| Three-pointers | 13-29 | 9-16 |
| Three-point % | 45 | 56 |
| Free throws | 6-7 | 14-19 |
| Free throw % | 86 | 74 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 20 |
| Offensive rebounds | 14 | 4 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 16 |
| Assists | 16 | 16 |
| Steals | 2 | 7 |
| Blocks | 1 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 19 |
| Fast-break points | 3 | 5 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 34 |
| Fouls | 14 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 4 | 8 |
| Lead changes | 8 | 8 |
| Time in front | 18 | 69 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half41-43Ring Nyeri makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half43-43Ibu Yamazaki makes layup
- 2nd Half44-43Ibu Yamazaki makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half44-45Chris Komin makes 20-foot jumper
- 2nd Half46-45Brock Wisne makes driving layup
- 2nd Half49-45Zach Bloch makes 24-foot three point jumper (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half49-48Chris Komin makes 24-foot three point jumper (Traivar Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half52-48Ibu Yamazaki makes 25-foot three point jumper (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half52-51Chris Komin makes 25-foot three point jumper (Traivar Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half53-51Ibu Yamazaki makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-51Ibu Yamazaki makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-53Traivar Jackson makes layup (Chris Komin assists)
- 2nd Half54-56Chris Komin makes 25-foot three point jumper (Karl Poom assists)
- 2nd Half54-58Chris Komin makes layup
- 2nd Half54-60Isaiah Shaw makes driving layup (Traivar Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half54-62Traivar Jackson makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half57-62Zach Bloch makes 23-foot three point jumper (Egan Shields assists)
- 2nd Half57-63Isaiah Shaw makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-63Zach Bloch makes 24-foot three point jumper (Brock Wisne assists)
- 2nd Half61-63Egan Shields makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-65Karl Poom makes layup (Traivar Jackson assists)
- 2nd Half63-65Brock Wisne makes 10-foot jumper (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half63-67Karl Poom makes 13-foot jumper
- 2nd Half65-67Quinn Denker makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-70Diego Campisano makes 24-foot three point jumper (Brennan Peterson assists)
- 2nd Half67-70Egan Shields makes 1-foot dunk (Brock Wisne assists)
- 2nd Half70-70Zach Bloch makes 24-foot three point jumper (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half70-71Ryan Abelman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-72Ryan Abelman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-72Brock Wisne makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half72-75Ryan Abelman makes 25-foot three point jumper (Diego Campisano assists)
- 2nd Half73-75Zach Bloch makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-75Zach Bloch makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-76Ryan Abelman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-77Ryan Abelman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-78Kavon Bradford makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-79Kavon Bradford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-79Quinn Denker makes 24-foot three point jumper (Brock Wisne assists)
- 2nd Half77-80Ryan Abelman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-81Ryan Abelman makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, below favours Northern Colorado Bears.
Venue
- J. Lawrence Walkup SkydomeFlagstaff, AZ
- Attendance905
- OfficialsGlen Mayberry, Chad Shepherd, Tala Vahedi
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond