GAME NOTES: The Colorado Buffaloes hope to end a two-game losing streak on Saturday when they host the Northern Colorado Bears at the Coors Events Center for non-conference action.

The Buffaloes came up just short of a late comeback on Wednesday and dropped a 62-60 decision to Colorado State. The loss was the first of the season at the Coors Events Center for Colorado, which will square off with DePaul on Dec. 22 in its final dress rehearsal before the start of the Pac-12 season. Coach Tad Boyle's team is posting 66.1 ppg on 44.5 percent shooting from the floor. The Buffaloes' opposition has been limited to 59 ppg on 39.3 percent efficiency from the field.

This will be the first matchup between Colorado and Northern Colorado since Boyle left the Bears' program, which he coached from 2006-10 before arriving in Boulder. The all-time series between these schools is tied, 18-18.

The Bears are also coming off a loss to Colorado State, who defeated them, 66-58, in their last outing on Dec. 7. UNC is 0-3 in true road tests this season. B.J. Hill, who replaced Boyle at the helm of the Bears' program, has built one of the best offensive teams in the Big Sky Conference. UNC is ranked second in its league in scoring offense (78.0 ppg), field-goal percentage (.510) and scoring margin (+11.1).

Although Colorado showed it can light up the scoreboard on occasion with a 90- point showing versus Auburn and an 84-point outing against Lipscomb, the Buffaloes are even more impressive defensively. They have allowed only one of their foes to surpass the 65-point mark this season. Junior forward Josh Scott has been the go-to-guy for Colorado with team-leading averages of 14.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. Junior guard Xavier Johnson, who is on the radar of NBA scouts due to his size and athleticism, is adding 12.7 ppg. The Buffaloes' most dangerous player is once again point guard Askia Booker, who is netting 13.3 ppg on just 37.4 percent shooting from the field through the first eight games of his senior campaign.

UNC's high-scoring offense is a product of nine different players who average over six points per outing. Senior guard Tevin Svihovec is leading the pack with 11.7 ppg. The 6-foot-2 guard has been a model of consistency with a double-figure scoring average every year he has played at UNC, but he has been held under the 10-point mark in two-straight games. Sophomore guard Cameron Michael is second for the Bears with 11.2 ppg. Michael finished 4-of-15 from the floor for nine points and grabbed seven boards in the loss at CSU.

UNC is going to struggle to find its usual offensive success against the Buffaloes. Colorado will have to put forth a solid effort to end its slide, but Boyle should have his team very focused to get back in the win column.