What could be termed a “sad Saturday” for three of the Centennial State’s major college basketball teams turned out to be a “surprising Saturday” for a fourth school, as Denver posted its second road win of the season in upstate Colorado.

With Colorado and Colorado losing games away from Boulder and Fort Collins, Denver posted an 86-79 win at Northern Colorado in Greeley for its second win against an upstate rival.  DU ARTICLE / UNC ARTICLE

In reaching .500 this season with a 7-7 record, the Pioneers’ victory column also features an 83-81 victory over Colorado State on November 21 in Fort Collins.  DU also recorded home wins this season against Colorado Christian (95-59) and UC Colorado Springs (129-93).

To start Saturday’s schedule, Colorado State (9-3) dropped its Mountain West Conference opener at Utah State 100-58 as the Aggies improved to 10-1 this season.  Hours later, Colorado fell victim to Stanford 77-68 in a Naismith Hall of Fame Series in Phoenix.  CSU ARTICLE / CU ARTICLE

The setback stymied the Buffs’ bid to match its best start since the 2015-2016 season when CU opened 11-1.  The Boulder boys are now 10-2 this season, with their other setback coming at Colorado State, 91-86, on December 6.

CU hosts Northern Colorado on December 28 in Boulder.  UNC has a 4-1 mark against Centennial State schools with victories over Colorado College (91-57), Colorado Christian (101-65), Air Force (71-53), and Regis (104-63).

Here are this week’s results for men’s collegiate teams in Colorado along with the remaining schedule before the Christmas break.

Tuesday, December 16

• St. Edward’s 87, Fort Lewis 61 at San Antonio
• M. Highlands 78, at Western Colorado 70
• at Denver 129, UCCS 93
• at Texas Tech 101, Northern Colorado 90

Wednesday, December 17

• Fort Lewis 81, at St. Mary’s (TX) 68
• at Colorado 84, Portland State 73
• at San Diego State 81, Air Force 58

Thursday, December 18

• Nebraska Kearney 87, at Regis 73
• Fort Hays State 68, at MSU Denver 64

Friday, December 19

• at Adams State 100, Northwest Nazarene 90
• at UCCS, 103, Bethany 83
• Western Washington 83, Colorado Mesa 73 at Las Vegas

Saturday, December 20

• Nebraska Wesleyan 74, at Colorado College 64
• at Texas A&M International 61, CSU Pueblo 55
• Denver 86, at Northern Colorado 79
• at Utah State 100, Colorado State 58
• at MSU Denver 88, Nebraska Kearney 74
• Colorado Christian 80, at New Mexico Highlands 63
• Fort Hays State 102, at Regis 42
• Stanford 77, Colorado 68 at Phoenix, Ariz.
• Colorado Mesa 78, Simon Fraser 69 at Las Vegas
• MSU Billings 81, Colorado Mines 66 at Las Vegas

Sunday, December 21

• Colorado Mines 72, Rollins 70 at Las Vegas, Nev.

Monday, December 22

• Denver at Tulsa, 1 p.m.

Here are the school records with one game remaining before the Christmas break.

4-year School                  Won  Lost

• Adams State                    7            5
• Air Force                          3            9
• Colorado                          10           2
• Colorado Christian          4            7
• Colorado College             2            7
• Colorado Mesa                6            5
• Colorado Mines               5            9
• Colorado State                9            3
  CSU Pueblo                     7            4
• Denver                             7            7
• Fort Lewis                       6            5
• MSU Denver                     4            8
• Northern Colorado           9            3
• Regis                               1            8
• UC Colorado Springs      7            5
• Western Colorado            5            6
  

2-year School                  Won  Lost

• Colorado Northwestern   4           11
• Lamar                              6            9
• Northeastern                   7            6
• Otero                               0           12
• Trinidad State                  6            8