BOULDER – In their last game before Pac-12 play begins, the Colorado Buffaloes stopped the Utah Tech Trailblazers in their tracks as CU’s overwhelming offense helped the Buffs improve to 9-2 on the season.
The 98-71 win marks the fourth win in four games (scoring 90 or more points in all four) for CU since losing to the now-No. 16 Colorado State Rams almost a month ago. The Buffs have outscored opponents by 100 in those games, including their 26-point victory on Thursday night. The black and gold have done so with star freshman Cody Williams having been absent since his 21-point showing against the Pepperdine Waves on Dec. 3.
Amidst the now four-game winning streak, KJ Simpson has continued to lead the Buffs in his junior year campaign. Against Utah Tech, the 6-foot-2 guard scored 23 points (8-of-14 FG, 5-of-8 3PT) along with six rebounds, and six assists as he helped his squad to another huge win. The Buffs’ starting point guard is leading CU in scoring, assists, and steals this season while also being the only player in the nation notching 55/45/90 shooting splits.
“It’s just a chip on my shoulder,” Simpson said when asked about the confidence he’s been playing with. “That’s just how I’ve felt all my life. But, it’s not just me, it was my teammates, they allow me to get open shots.”
The third-year guard and the Buffaloes picked up right where they left off as they started the contest on a 10-0 run. Eddie Lampkin free throws ignited the beginning of the run, a Luke O’Brien three continued it, and Simpson added a three of his own and a dunk before the Trailblazers finally netted their first points of the game. It was not until the second half that Utah Tech found a consistent mode of offensive production.
As the black and gold built their first half lead, their ability to move the ball once again created opportunities (12 first half assists, 20 in the game). Against Utah Tech’s 2-3 zone, CU moved the ball around as they found themselves open from deep (5-of-8 3PT in the first half) while also creating driving lanes. If the three or the drive wasn’t open, Lampkin was as he proved too big to handle for the Trailblazers’ interior as he scored 16 points (4-of-7 FG) and grabbed nine rebounds in the win.
“It’s really easy for us to move the ball and share the rock,” O’Brien said when asked about Colorado’s new five-out offense. “What, we’re top 10 or something like that in three-point percentage? So, it’s just easy when you can hit the one more and stuff like that. So yeah, I love the new offense.”
However, it was another fine first half defensive effort that propelled the Buffs to a 19-point lead heading into the break. As Colorado held Utah Tech to just 25 points – the Trailblazers’ leading scorer on the season Tanner Christensen (12.2 PPG) having zero – they forced seven turnovers and scored nine points in transition.
“You’re coming in at halftime and we’re holding them to 36%,” head coach Tad Boyle said. “We had a few breakdowns, but they had 24 points. We’ll take that every game, right?”
As the Buffs led 46-25 going into halftime, it was smooth sailing in the second half. While CU once again laid off the gas as they only outscored the Trailblazers by six (52-46), the fun continued as O’Brien surpassed his career-high in points after tying it last game. After scoring 13 against Miami (FL) and 14 against Northern Colorado, the senior guard poured in 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting with two threes. His milestone-marking bucket was a one-handed slam in transition as he put Colorado up by 21 points with just under eight minutes left in the game.
“Luke O’Brien tonight played really well,” Boyle said. “You name those top seven guys, they’re all really critically, critically important, as are the next wave of guys we bring off the bench.”
The final win of non-conference play once again showcased the juggernaut Colorado can be as five Buffs reached double-digits in scoring. Of the top six in the rotation, only Julian Hammond failed to surpass 10 points as the backup guard played limited minutes due to taking a hard fall against UNC on Dec. 15 according to Boyle.
To add insult to injury for Utah Tech, Trailblazers head coach Jon Judkins was ejected after barking about a no-call to the referees. The coach in his 19th season with the program received back-to-back technicals before being sent to the showers with just over 15 minutes left in the game.
The Buffs return from winter break on Dec. 29 to start Pac-12 play against the Washington Huskies at the CU Events Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MST.
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