GREELEY, Colo. (Interstat) — A showdown between two of the Big Sky Conference’s most dynamic guards will highlight Saturday’s matchup as the Northern Colorado Bears host the Eastern Washington Eagles at Butler-Hancock Athletic Center.

Northern Colorado (12-10, 3-6 Big Sky) looks to build momentum after a 91-83 home victory over Idaho on Thursday. The Bears are led by junior guard Quinn Denker, who is coming off a career performance with 35 points and 10 assists. Denker has averaged 18.4 points and 7.9 assists over his last eight games, serving as the engine for a Bears’ offense that ranks among the league’s best.

They will face an Eastern Washington (5-16, 3-6) team seeking to end a two-game skid following a 92-86 loss at Northern Arizona. The Eagles’ hopes rest heavily on the shoulders of standout freshman Isaiah Moses. Moses is in the midst of a sensational scoring run, averaging 20.8 points over his last nine contests. He poured in 30 points in Thursday’s loss, his fourth game with 20 or more points in January.

The game pits teams with contrasting seasons. Northern Colorado has shown flashes of high-level play, including a non-conference road win at Colorado, but has struggled with consistency in league play, losing four games by six points or fewer. Eastern Washington has faced significant challenges, with only five wins overall, but has been competitive in conference action with three victories, including a one-point win over Montana.

Defense will be a key concern for both sides. The Eagles have allowed 80.1 points per game this season, while the Bears have shown vulnerabilities in their recent 1-4 stretch prior to the Idaho win. Containing the opposing star guard will be the primary tactical focus.

This marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the schools, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 26 in Cheney, Washington. Saturday’s contest is critical for both teams aiming to improve their positioning ahead of the Big Sky tournament in March.