The University of Northern Colorado hosted the Colorado School of Mines in Greeley, Colo. Sunday, and both teams showed offensive firepower in a 56-36 UNC win. 10 tries were scored by the Bears, and only three were converted.

Freshman Nick Markowski had a hat trick from the fullback position. Senior inside center Kyle Hitt and flyhalf David Zimmerman, the team's sophomore captain, touched down twice. Other try scorers were outside center Scott Murphy, blindside flanker Anthony SeChrist and wing Luke Stuckey. Hitt made one-of-six conversion attempts before scrumhalf Butters Smith stepped in and converted two-of-four.

"We have plenty to work on going into next Sunday's game at Denver University," said UNC's Zack Beasley. "Our defense around the fringe, along with team and individual discipline, will need improvement if we are to advance to the Sweet 16 and perform well there."

Two UNC forwards were yellow carded, resulting in the Mines remaining a threat until the final minutes. The Mines crept inside UNC's 22 early in the match, and jumped out to a 3-0 lead from a rucking offense. The Bears responded with three successive tries and would not trail again.

Wit the win, UNC stays atop the West-North Conference. With only two games left, the season finale against New Mexico will likely decide the conference champion.