Preview: Montana State Bobcats at Northern Colorado Bears GARDEN CITY, Colo. (Interstat) — A key Big Sky Conference rematch awaits Monday as the Northern Colorado Bears host the Montana State Bobcats at Butler-Hancock Athletic Center. The Bears (11-7, 1-4 Big Sky) seek revenge after an 89-75 loss in Bozeman on Jan. 1, a game that opened conference play for both teams. The Bobcats (9-8, 3-2) have dropped two of their last three, including a narrow 92-89 road loss at Idaho on Jan. 10, but have shown potency in league play. Montana State guard Jed Miller, who torched Northern Colorado for 24 points in the first meeting, enters in strong form. Over his last five games, Miller is averaging 16.8 points, including a 22-point performance in a win over Northern Arizona and 20 in the recent loss at Idaho. His backcourt leadership will be central to the Bobcats’ attack. Northern Colorado counters with its own dynamic guard in Quinn Denker. Despite the Bears’ three-game conference skid, Denker has been a consistent force, averaging 17.7 points and 7.2 assists over his last six outings. His standout performance came in a non-conference upset of Colorado on Dec. 28, where he posted 33 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. The Bears’ recent struggles have been defined by close losses, falling by three points at Portland State and by five at home to Weber State in their last two contests. Finding a way to close will be a priority against a Montana State team familiar with tight games. Montana State’s conference results have been a mixed bag, with a road win at Eastern Washington but losses at Idaho and a 19-point home defeat to Montana not listed in the recent provided results. Protecting the ball and limiting Denker’s playmaking will be their focus. With both teams looking to solidify their standing in the crowded Big Sky race, Monday’s contest offers a crucial opportunity to build momentum ahead of the heart of the conference schedule. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Mountain Time.