DENVER  – The University of Denver men's basketball program will finish up its Big Sky/Summit League Challenge slate on Saturday when the Pioneers head up I-25 to Northern Colorado on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

SERIES HISTORY:
In the Pioneers modern Division I history, Denver has a 10-8 lead in the series, but the Bears have won each of the last four meetings. Denver won the four meetings prior from the 2010-11 to the 2016-17 campaigns. Northern Colorado holds a 5-4 edge in Greeley. In an all-time series dating back to November 18, 1977, UNC holds a 27-23 advantage in the series, including 13-10 in Greeley.

DOUBLE DIGIT WORKLOAD:
Tommy Bruner leads the Pioneers with 88 career games in double figures, including 18-straight contests spanning back to the end of last season. Touko Tainamo is the next closest Pioneer with 42 games in double figures, including in 13 of the 16 games for Denver this season. Bruner has scored 65 points in the last two games, including nearly 75% of that output coming after halftime in the two contests. 

100 GAMES PLAYED:
Both fifth-year guard Tommy Bruner and graduate student transfer Jaxon Brenchley have crossed the century mark in games played in their NCAA career this season.

LAST TIME OUT:
Tommy Bruner poured in 33 points, including two triples that were part of an 11-0 run to start overtime in the Pioneers 95-82 victory over Northern Colorado on Wednesday night in Hamilton Gymnasium. Touko Tainamo added 18 points and eight rebounds and Isaiah Carr chipped in 12 more and Jaxon Brenchley rounded out Denver's double figure scorers with 10 of his own.  

BRUNER NAMED SUMMIT LEAGUE PEAK PERFORMER OF THE MONTH:
Tommy Bruner was named the Summit League Peak Performer of the Month for the month of December, his second monthly honor in the first two months of the regular season. Bruner averaged 25.4 points in the month of December to go with 5.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game. The Denver guard shot 57-68 from the free-throw line, finishing from the stripe at an 83.8% clip. FULL RELEASE

BRUNER LEADS DENVER IN NATIONAL STATISTICS RANKINGS:

• Tommy Bruner ranks first in the country in points per game (25.2), first in free-throws made (115), second in field goals made (125).
• Touko Tainamo ranks 25th in free-throw attempts (96) and 24th in free-throws made (71). Tainamo is also tied for 33rd nationally in double-doubles with five.
• Jaxon Brenchley is 10th in the country in assist/turnover ratio (3.77).
• Isaiah Carr ranks 11th in the country in blocked shots (33).
• Denver entered the weekend fourth in the country in free-throw attempts per game (27.6) and second in free-throw makes per game (20.6).
• As a team, the Pioneers are 21st in scoring offense (85.1), 71st in rebounds per game (39.31) and 16th in turnovers per game (9.6).

UP NEXT:
Denver will have the week off before hosting South Dakota State in Summit League action on January 13 inside Hamilton Gymnasium. Tip is set for 1 p.m. MT, and will be broadcast live on the Summit League Network and 104.3 The Fan HD3.  

SUMMIT LEAGUE NETWORK:
New this year, fans can subscribe to the Summit League Network, the exclusive streaming home of all Denver men's and women's basketball home games and conference away games. For more information on the Summit League Network, click here. 

Denver Tickets:  
Season and single game tickets are on sale now. Secure your seat today by clicking here.                 

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