Buffs defeat Utes to start 2-0 in Big 12 play
- Matt Spivack
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The Colorado Buffaloes (12-3, 2-0 Big 12) beat the Utah Utes (8-7, 0-2 Big 12) 85-73 in their Big 12 home opener on Wednesday.
Despite the Buffs leading the game for over 39 minutes, the Utes fought their tails off to keep the game close and force Colorado to keep its foot on the pedal.
The Buffaloes could not have asked for a better start to this game, holding the Utes to just one point on 0-for-5 from the floor. On the other side of the court, Colorado came out firing, making its first four shots, including two free throws, to take an early 11-1 lead.
This blueprint did not last long for CU, with the Utes storming back and cutting the lead to just one point around the 11-minute mark in the first half.
Utah took its only lead of the half on a three-pointer from forward Keanu Dawes, but CU was able to regain the lead behind the three-ball and head into halftime up four points.
Colorado never trailed again in this game, but the Utes were able to cut the deficit to just two points three different times late in the second half. The Buffs stayed composed and extended the lead each time Utah got close.
“We had that thing to a 10-point game multiple times… and we couldn’t break it open,” head coach Tad Boyle said postgame. “We just let them come back.”
Utah’s offensive backcourt duo of Terrance Brown and Don McHenry carried the Utes offense, combining for 40 of the team’s 73 points. Despite these numbers, neither guard shot better than 40 percent from the field. McHenry credited the Colorado defense for some of Utah’s inefficiencies.
“I think they were pretty aggressive,” McHenry said. “I think there were a lot of times I could have played with the pass more.”
Once again, the Buffaloes had several players finish as double-digit scorers, with forward Sebastian Rancik leading the way with 19 points. Although his deeper shots weren't falling, Rancik adapted by driving to the paint and drawing fouls (9-for-9 free throws).
“I just got to be physical,” Rancik said. “I’ve got to be physical around the rim and in the paint… My shot will fall, I’m not really worried about it. Tomorrow is a new day.”
Junior forward Bangot Dak trailed right behind him with 16 points and grabbed a game and season-high 12 rebounds.
One of the defining factors of the game was the discrepancy in bench points, with CU leading 33-8 in the category. Freshman guard Isaish Johnson is a reason why the Colorado bench is so explosive, as he leads the team in points per game.
“I’m not sure we have been outscored by another bench this year,” Boyle said. “I think the depth of this team is one of the strengths of this team, our bench is huge. Isaiah is a big part of that, but he’s not the only part of that.”
Colorado will have its first real test on Saturday, facing its first ranked opponent of the season.
The Buffaloes will be back at the CU Events Center to take on the No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-4, 1-1) at 5 p.m. MT (CBS Sports).