The Colorado men’s basketball team won’t be cruising into Big 12 Conference play behind a wave of momentum.

Quite the opposite, in fact, as the Buffaloes will begin play in one of the nation’s most challenging leagues on the heels of one of the most embarrassing home defeats in recent memory.

CU (10-3) turned in another listless defensive performance and the Bears took advantage, handing CU an 86-81 defeat Sunday afternoon at the CU Events Center.

It was UNC’s first win against Colorado since Feb. 18, 1936.

UNC shot .739 in the second half (17-for-23) and finished the game 11-for-21 on 3-pointers.

UNC’s Quinn Denker returned from a two-game injury absence to score 33 points against the Buffs. Freshman Isaiah Johnson led the Buffs with a season-high 25 points.

This story will be updated.

Northern Colorado 86, Colorado 81

NORTHERN COLORADO (10-3)

Nyeri 2-4 0-0 5, Wisne 6-15 0-0 13, Yamazaki 5-8 5-5 19, Bloch 3-6 0-0 8, Denker 12-18 6-6 33, Shields 3-6 2-6 8, Delano 0-2 0-0 0, Mawien 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 31-59 13-17 86.

COLORADO (10-3)

Dak 6-14 2-2 16, Rancik 4-13 4-4 14, Malone 2-5 2-2 6, Hargress 8-15 1-1 18, Kossaras 1-2 0-0 2, Johnson 9-20 5-6 25, Sanders 0-3 0-0 0, Holland 0-4 0-0 0, Ifaola 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-76 14-15 81.

Halftime: Northern Colorado 37-35; 3-Point Goals: Northern Colorado 11-21 (Yamazaki 4-6, Denker 3-5, Bloch 2-4, Nyeri 1-2, Wisne 1-3, Delano 0-1), Colorado 7-23 (Dak 2-4, Johnson 2-6, Rancik 2-6, Hargress 1-3, Holland 0-1, Kossaras 0-1, Sanders 0-2); Rebounds: Northern Colorado 39 (Denker 8), Colorado 37 (Johnson 8); Assists: Northern Colorado 17 (Denker 8), Colorado 11 (Hargress 5); Total Fouls: Northern Colorado 12, Colorado 14.