Portland State Edges Northern Colorado in Close Contest
Thursday, January 15, 2026, 10:00 PM ET · Viking Pavilion
Portland State Vikings 76, Northern Colorado Bears 73, 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 Portland State Vikings?
Portland State Vikings beat Northern Colorado Bears 76-73 at Viking Pavilion on January 15, 2026.
Who was favored in Northern Colorado Bears vs Portland State Vikings?
Portland State Vikings were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -148 (about 60% implied). The favorite won.
The Portland State Vikings secured a narrow victory over the Northern Colorado Bears, finishing the game with a score of 76 to 73. This matchup showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Portland State maintaining a strong home record of 10-5, while Northern Colorado held an away record of 11-7. The game took place at the Viking Pavilion, a venue known for its lively atmosphere and support for the home team.
In their recent form, Portland State has been performing well, boasting a record of 7-3 in their last ten games, currently on a three-game winning streak. They have averaged 80.2 points scored while allowing 69.8 points over this stretch. Their last five games have seen them average 83.6 points scored and 78.6 points allowed, indicating a potent offense paired with some defensive challenges. Notably, Portland State's last game before this matchup was a decisive win against Sacramento State, where they triumphed with a score of 96-69.
Conversely, Northern Colorado has faced more ups and downs recently, with a record of 5-5 in their last ten games and currently on a one-game losing streak. They have averaged 83.3 points scored and 81.3 points allowed during this period. Their last five games have yielded an average of 79.2 points scored and 81.2 points allowed, suggesting they have struggled defensively. In their most recent outing, they lost to Weber State by a score of 71-76.
When looking at the home and away performances, Portland State has a home record of 3-1 in their last four games at the Viking Pavilion, while Northern Colorado has recorded a 2-3 record in their last five games on the road. This home advantage for Portland State likely contributed to their success in this matchup.
In terms of previous meetings, the two teams have faced each other twice in the last season, with each team winning once. Portland State won their home game 82-71, while Northern Colorado claimed victory in their home game 72-69. This history of tightly contested games added an extra layer of anticipation to this matchup.
Injuries were not reported in the block, indicating that both teams were likely at full strength for this contest. This absence of injury concerns allowed both teams to field their best lineups, contributing to the competitive nature of the game.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Portland State favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 155.5. The home moneyline was listed at -148.0, while Northern Colorado's moneyline was at 124.0. This pricing reflected the close nature of the matchup and the expectation of a competitive game.
Conditions during the game were not specified, but the Viking Pavilion typically provides a supportive environment for the home team, which can influence performance.
As the game unfolded, viewers witnessed a series of critical scoring plays that defined the outcome. In the second half, Quinn Denker made a layup to bring Northern Colorado within three points at 72-69. Jaylin Henderson followed with an 8-foot jumper to extend Portland State's lead to 74-69. Denker then contributed with free throws, bringing the Bears closer at 74-71. Zach Bloch also made critical free throws to narrow the gap to 74-73. However, Brycen Long's free throws in the closing moments secured the victory for Portland State, finalizing the score at 76-73.
Overall, this game highlighted the resilience and skill of both teams, with Portland State ultimately leveraging their home advantage to secure the win.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | PRST -2.5 | 155.5 o -115 / u -105 | Northern Colorado Bears +124 · Portland State Vikings -148 |
Leaders
- PointsJaylin Henderson19Portland State Vikings
- AssistsJaylin Henderson7Portland State Vikings
- ReboundsTerri Miller Jr.8Portland State Vikings
- PointsQuinn Denker18Northern Colorado Bears
- AssistsQuinn Denker6Northern Colorado Bears
- ReboundsIbu Yamazaki5Northern Colorado Bears
Recent form
Portland State Vikings
Last 10: 7-3Streak W380.2 scored · 69.8 allowed per game3-1 at home
- W96-69vs Sacramento State HornetsJan 10
- W93-87at Idaho State BengalsJan 3
- W95-90at Weber State WildcatsJan 1
- L61-63at Tulane Green WaveDec 21
- L73-84at Colorado BuffaloesDec 18
- W94-50vs George Fox BruinsDec 13
- L55-60vs Omaha MavericksDec 6
- W77-71at South Dakota CoyotesDec 4
- W68-63at Utah Tech TrailblazersNov 26
- W90-61vs Evergreen State GeoducksNov 20
Northern Colorado Bears
Last 10: 5-5Streak L183.3 scored · 81.3 allowed per game2-3 away
- 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
- W89-87vs South Dakota CoyotesDec 7
- W75-70at Omaha MavericksDec 4
- W104-63vs Regis University REGIS UNIVERSITYNov 30
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 | Portland State Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-53 | 26-53 |
| Field goal % | 45 | 49 |
| Three-pointers | 12-31 | 4-16 |
| Three-point % | 39 | 25 |
| Free throws | 13-19 | 20-28 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 71 |
| Rebounds | 23 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 4 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 27 |
| Assists | 20 | 12 |
| Steals | 11 | 8 |
| Blocks | 2 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 17 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 26 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 24 | 38 |
| Fouls | 20 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 7 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 58 | 35 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half41-41Ring Nyeri makes 23-foot three point jumper (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half41-43Jaylin Henderson makes layup
- 2nd Half41-44Jaylin Henderson makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half43-44Quinn Denker makes layup (Vincent Delano assists)
- 2nd Half44-44Quinn Denker makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half44-47Terri Miller Jr. makes 27-foot three point jumper (Jaylin Henderson assists)
- 2nd Half46-47Egan Shields makes layup (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half46-48Jaylin Henderson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-49Jaylin Henderson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-49Brock Wisne makes 9-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half48-51Terri Miller Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half49-51Zach Bloch makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-52Terri Miller Jr. makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half52-52Zach Bloch makes 24-foot three point jumper (Vincent Delano assists)
- 2nd Half52-54Jaylin Henderson makes 12-foot jumper
- 2nd Half52-56Keyon Kensie Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half52-58Tre-Vaughn Minott makes layup (Terri Miller Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half54-58Brock Wisne makes layup (Ibu Yamazaki assists)
- 2nd Half54-60Tre-Vaughn Minott makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Jaylin Henderson assists)
- 2nd Half57-60Ibu Yamazaki makes 25-foot three point jumper (Brock Wisne assists)
- 2nd Half57-63Keyon Kensie Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jaylin Henderson assists)
- 2nd Half60-63Zach Bloch makes 23-foot three point jumper (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half60-64Jaylin Henderson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-65Jaylin Henderson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-65Brock Wisne makes 11-foot jumper (Quinn Denker assists)
- 2nd Half62-66Keyon Kensie Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-67Keyon Kensie Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-69Keyon Kensie Jr. makes 5-foot alley oop dunk (Jaylin Henderson assists)
- 2nd Half65-69Ibu Yamazaki makes 23-foot three point jumper (Brock Wisne assists)
- 2nd Half65-70Tre-Vaughn Minott makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-72Terri Miller Jr. makes 12-foot jumper (Keyon Kensie Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half67-72Quinn Denker makes layup
- 2nd Half69-72Quinn Denker makes layup
- 2nd Half69-74Jaylin Henderson makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half70-74Quinn Denker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-74Quinn Denker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-74Zach Bloch makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half73-74Zach Bloch makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half73-76Brycen Long makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-75Brycen Long makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Portland State Vikings, below favours Northern Colorado Bears.
Venue
- Viking PavilionPortland, OR
- Attendance746
- OfficialsMark Fulton, Ray Ames, Ben Cartmell
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