Dak’s defensive masterclass leads Buffs past Hornets

Forward Bangot Dak won the opening tip on Monday night. He was the game’s highest scorer with 16 points. (Photo by Nick Rauscher/SkoBuffsSports).

The Colorado Buffaloes (4-0) beat up on the Alabama State Hornets (2-2) 94-to-66 on Monday night at the CU Events Center.

The Buffaloes started on fire, shooting 4-for-6 from three and 75% from the floor through the first 10 minutes, while holding the Hornets to 21% from the field.

Forward Bangot Dak started the scoring for the Black and Gold, with the team’s first six points. He appeared all over the stat sheet, scoring 16 points, grabbing seven rebounds, blocking three shots and stealing two balls. Dak had the highest plus-minus of anyone on the court tonight (+30).

“I’ve been struggling offensively,” Dak said. “So if I get myself going defensively, I can get myself going offensively. Just getting stops out there. That was my mindset the whole time with my team, just get stops and get out and run, because we know this team couldn’t run with us.”

Colorado had a 21-3 scoring run early in the first half, which left the Hornets climbing out of a huge deficit for the rest of the game.

“Good team victory,” head coach Tad Boyle said. “I thought our depth showed tonight. We beat an Alabama State team that’s talented; we knew they could come in here and beat us.”

Colorado dominated all facets of the game. Offensively, the Buffs shot 54% from the field and 38% from deep, scoring 48 points in the paint. Colorado was able to get to the free-throw line 36 times, cashing in 28 of them (78%).

Defensively, the Buffs played their most complete game, holding the Hornets to 36% from the floor and only giving up 12 attempted free throws.

The Buffaloes turned defense into offense all game, scoring 30 fast break points and 18 points off the 11 Hornets turnovers.

Despite shooting struggles throughout the night, Alabama State continued to fight down the stretch, cutting the deficit to as little as 15 points about halfway through the second quarter.

Unfortunately for the Hornets, the team’s fighting spirit was not enough to propel them past the Buffaloes.

Senior Asjon Anderson led the Hornets with 15 points and six assists in this match-up.

Juniors Cameron Palesse (13) and Tyler Mason (11) were the other scorers in double-digits for Alabama State and tied for the team-high in rebounds (6).

Even with major defensive improvements in the blowout win, Boyle wants to see his team give maximum energy for the full 40 minutes.

“Just focus, a young team, you’re up 24 at half, keeping that edge,” Boyle said. “Guess what? Alabama State’s not going away. They’re competitive kids… So I think it’s more of a mental lack of concentration, not having a sense of urgency.”

The Buffaloes will be back at the CU Events Center to take on the UC Davis Aggies on Friday at 7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN+).