OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Boden Skunberg had 25 points in North Dakota State's 78-65 victory over Omaha on Saturday.

Skunberg also added seven rebounds for the Bison (8-11, 5-2 Summit League). Andrew Morgan added 15 points while shooting 7 of 11 from the field and had five rebounds. Damari Wheeler-Thomas recorded 13 points.

The Mavericks (7-12, 3-4) were led in scoring by JJ White and Ja'Sean Glover, who had 16 points each. Frankie Fidler added 13 points.

Both teams play on Thursday. North Dakota State hosts Oral Roberts and Omaha travels to play South Dakota State.

No. 7 UCLA rallies in 2nd half for 68-54 win over Colorado

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Defense has long been a trademark of Mick Cronin-coached teams. It is also a significant reason why seventh-ranked UCLA is on its longest-winning streak in six seasons.

On a night when the Bruins shot under 40% for the third time in five games, it was the defense that was able to keep Colorado at bay before UCLA discovered its shooting touch over the final 10 minutes of Saturday's 68-54 victory.

It is the 13th straight win by the Bruins, which is their longest winning streak since they won their first 13 games in the 2016-17 season.

“We stopped worrying about them and started worrying about getting stops and rebounds,” Cronin said. “Like I told them at halftime, I'd rather the ball goes in during the second half. It's a great win anytime the game’s not going your way and you got every reason to get beat and you find a way to win by 14.”

UCLA (16-2, 7-0 Pac-12) forced Colorado to commit a season-high 23 turnovers and held the Buffaloes without a field goal for over nine minutes in the second half.

The Bruins also pulled down a season-high 18 offensive rebounds. Even though UCLA had a 38.1% shooting rate from the field, Colorado was 15 of 49 (30.6%).

“When you play defense, you give yourself a chance. We’re giving ourselves a lot of chances and we’re going to try to keep doing that,” said Jaime Jaquez Jr., who had 23 points and tied a career high with 13 rebounds.

Jaylen Clark scored 18 and Tyger Campbell added 11 for the Bruins.

KJ Simpson led Colorado (11-8, 3-5) with 17 points and Javon Ruffin scored 11.

“They’re a great second-half team. Once they get on a roll like that, and the fans start cheering, you know, it’s hard to beat the team like that,” Simpson said. “We've got to come out and be tougher in the second half.”

Simpson gave Colorado a 44-35 lead midway through the second half on a three-point play before the Bruins took control, scoring 17 straight points to go up 52-44.

After a steal by Jaquez off a bad pass by Ruffin, the Bruins took the lead for good with 8:12 remaining when David Singleton made a pair of free throws for a 45-44 advantage.

The Bruins started the second half 1 of 17 from the field, and missed 14 straight at one point, before regaining their shooting touch.

The Buffaloes, who had a 31-28 lead at halftime, were 6 of 21 from the field and committed 13 turnovers in the final 20 minutes.

“When you get ready to play UCLA, you know you’re in for a fistfight,” Colorado coach Tad Boyle said. “They just absolutely abused us on the boards. They were the tougher team tonight.”

THE TAKEWAY

Colorado: It is only the second time the Buffaloes have been swept on their Los Angeles road trip since joining the conference. The other time was the 2015-16 season.

UCLA: It is the second time in Mick Cronin's four seasons in Westwood that the Bruins have started 7-0 in Pac-12 play. They won their first eight in 2020-21.

UP NEXT

Colorado: Host Washington on Thursday.

UCLA: Travel to Arizona State on Thursday.

Boise State defeats Wyoming 85-68

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Chibuzo Agbo had 18 points in Boise State's 85-68 victory against Wyoming on Saturday.

Agbo also contributed nine rebounds for the Broncos (14-4, 4-1 Mountain West Conference). Naje Smith added 18 points while going 7 of 15 (4 for 8 from distance), and he also had seven rebounds. Max Rice recorded 17 points and was 7-of-10 shooting (2 for 4 from distance).

The Cowboys (5-12, 0-5) were led in scoring by Noah Reynolds, who finished with 13 points. Hunter Maldonado added 12 points, four assists and two steals for Wyoming. Ethan Anderson also had 11 points and six rebounds. The loss is the seventh straight for the Cowboys.

Boise State took the lead with 17:25 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 41-33 at halftime, with Rice racking up 12 points. Boise State outscored Wyoming by nine points in the second half, and Agbo scored a team-high 16 points in the second half to help his team secure the victory.

NEXT UP

Both teams play again on Tuesday. Boise State hosts Nevada and Wyoming travels to play Air Force.

Stevens lifts Colorado State over UNLV 82-81 in overtime

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Isaiah Stevens scored a season-high 33 points and sank back-to-back 3-pointers in the final 21 seconds of overtime to rally Colorado State to an 82-81 victory over UNLV on Saturday night.

Stevens buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Rams (10-9, 2-4 Mountain West Conference) to tie the game at 70 and force overtime. Stevens also had eight rebounds and nine assists. Jalen Lake added 13 points and five assists. John Tonje scored 12. Patrick Cartier scored six of his 10 points in the extra period.

EJ Harkless led the Rebels (12-5, 1-4) with a career-high 33 points and nine rebounds. Justin Webster added 15 points and Luis Rodriguez scored 12 with four steals.

Stevens had 10 points in the first half to guide Colorado State 35-34 lead.

NEXT UP

Up next for Colorado State is a matchup Wednesday with San Diego State at home. UNLV visits Utah State on Tuesday.

Air Force wins 51-48 against Fresno State

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Ethan Taylor's 15 points helped Air Force defeat Fresno State 51-48 on Saturday night.

Donavan Yap's two free throws for Fresno State capped the scoring with 1:05 remaining.

Taylor had five assists for the Falcons (11-7, 2-3 Mountain West Conference). Marcell McCreary scored 13 points and added six rebounds. Camden Vander Zwaag recorded nine points.

Eduardo Andre led the Bulldogs (6-11, 2-4) with 14 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. Yap added 13 points and Jordan Campbell had 10 points and two steals.

Vander Zwaag scored seven points in the first half and Air Force went into the break trailing 26-20, but Air Force led 37-34 with 11:04 left. McCreary scored 10 second-half points.

NEXT UP

Air Force plays Tuesday against Wyoming at home, and Fresno State hosts UNLV on Saturday.

Knecht's 31 lead Northern Colorado over Portland State 69-67

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Dalton Knecht's 31 points led Northern Colorado past Portland State 69-67 on Saturday night.

Knecht had six rebounds for the Bears (6-12, 1-5 Big Sky Conference). Daylen Kountz scored 14 points and added six rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Matt Johnson was 4-of-9 shooting (4 for 8 from distance) to finish with 13 points. The win broke a seven-game losing streak for the Bears.

Cameron Parker led the Vikings (8-10, 2-3) in scoring, finishing with 14 points and seven assists. Bobby Harvey added 13 points for Portland State. In addition, Hunter Woods had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Woods and Jorell Saterfield each missed potential tying shots in the closing second for the Vikings.

NEXT UP

Both teams next play Thursday. Northern Colorado hosts Eastern Washington while Portland State visits Weber State.

Smith scores 20, Denver downs North Dakota 78-71

DENVER (AP) — Tevin Smith scored 20 points as Denver beat North Dakota 78-71 on Saturday.

Smith also added five rebounds for the Pioneers (11-9, 2-5 Summit League). Lukas Kisunas scored 12 points while finishing 5 of 9 from the floor. Tommy Bruner was 4 of 10 shooting and 4 of 5 from the free throw line to finish with 12 points.

The Fightin' Hawks (6-13, 0-6) were led by Matt Norman, who recorded 18 points. Brady Danielson added 15 points for North Dakota and B.J. Omot had 10 points. The loss is the sixth straight for the Fightin' Hawks.

Denver visits South Dakota on Thursday and North Dakota hosts UMKC, also on Thursday.