Why the Buffs won: CU shot .556 in the first half, outrebounded Northern Colorado by 11, and held the Bears to a 3-for-21 mark on 3-pointers.

Three stars

KJ Simpson: CU’s point guard went 9-for-21 with 21 points, five rebounds, five steals and four assists.

J’Vonne Hadley: Quietly put together another impressive all-around performance, going 6-for-9 with 15 points, five rebounds and a career-high six assists.

Eddie Lampkin Jr.: CU’s center recorded a career-high six assists and posted his second double-double with the Buffs with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Up next: The Buffs complete nonconference play on Thursday at home against Utah Tech (5 p.m., Pac-12 Network).