Colorado turns defense into separation, handles Portland State

Due to high winds that affected travel, forward Sebastian Rancik and the Colorado Buffaloes played Portland State on Wednesday without fans in attendance. (Photo by Madison Kerest/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes (10-1) took down the Portland State Vikings (6-4) 84-73 in a fan-less non-conference matchup in the CU Events Center on Wednesday. 

Colorado weathered an aggressive opening half from Portland State and responded with balanced offense to establish control. The Vikings relied on second-chance points and interior scoring to stay close, but the Buffs answered with efficient play in the paint.

That consistency allowed them to finish the first half with momentum, setting themselves up for a second-half push.

The Vikings opened the game aggressively, scoring first on second-chance opportunities and fast-break looks. Miller Jr. hit two early 3-pointers to give PSU momentum. The Buffs stayed close behind with interior scoring from forward Bangot Dak and guard Barrington Hargress. The Vikings relied heavily on second-chance points to keep themselves in the game.

Colorado tied the game late in the half and took a slim lead into the locker room, 37-35.

CU then created distance, starting the second half on a run, forcing turnovers and converting in transition. The Vikings answered with scoring in the paint and free throws to keep themselves within striking distance. Guard Isaiah Johnson and forward Sebastian Rancik sparked key runs for Colorado.

Johnson led the way for the Buffs, scoring 20 points. Hargress added 15, as well as dishing out 5 assists. Dak pitched in his second career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while forward Alon Michaeli grabbed 10 boards off the bench.

Guard Jaylin Henderson led the Vikings with 23 points, and Miller Jr. added 16.

Portland State made multiple runs to trim the deficit, but the Buffalo offense matched its scoring. Free throws and transition buckets helped the Buffs take the win.

“We beat a really good basketball team, and that’s something to be proud of,” coach Tad Boyle said. “What changed for us late was finally stringing together stops on the defensive end. That allowed us to turn a two or three-point game into an eight-to-10-point cushion, and from there we were able to close it out.”

In the spirit of the holiday season, the CU Events Center held a silent night due to hazardous winds throughout Boulder. Only players' families were admitted, creating an awkward environment that Colorado handled.

"Kind of a weird night tonight for the Buffaloes," Boyle added. "It was a good win in a very unique environment, more like a scrimmage than a basketball game."

The Buffs now travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to participate in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Series against the Stanford Cardinals (8-2). The game will take place on Saturday at 6 p.m. MT (ESPNU).