Kossaras, Dak dazzle as Buffs fend off UC Davis

Colorado junior forward Bangot Dak scores two of

The Colorado Buffaloes (5-0) stayed undefeated with a 95-79 win over the UC Davis Aggies (4-2) in a non-conference matchup on Thursday night at the CU Events Center.

Colorado took control of the game behind crisp ball movement and strong play from Bangot Dak and Felix Kossaras, overcoming an early-second-half run from the Aggies.

CU’s offense flowed like the Amazon, with several kick-out 3s to keep extending its lead, and the Aggies struggled to contain the ball movement. Dak set the tone early with seven first-half points, including a showstopper dunk off an assist from Barrington Hargress.

Junior forward Jalen Stokes is an aggressive defender with 14 blocks this season, but also 20 fouls in just 63 minutes. He picked up his fourth foul at the 5:21 mark in the first half, forcing coach Jim Les to go to his bench earlier than planned.

The Aggies stayed in the game behind guard Marcus Wilson, who scored two quick layups to tie it at 52 apiece. Still, an emphatic dunk from Dak helped CU quickly rebuild its lead, a Kossaras dunk energized the crowd, and Hargress converted an and-one that turned into a three-point play.

CU got hot when it mattered with Isaiah Johnson and Sebastian Rancik making back-to-back 3s as Hargress added another three-point play to spark a 9-0 run. Kossaras continued his strong play beyond the arc, hitting three of his first four attempts and finishing with 17 points.

The Buffaloes had five different players finish in double digits: Alon Michaeli, Hargress, Kossaras, Dak and Rancik. Marcus Wilson led UC Davis with 21 points, and forward Niko Rocak added 19.

Hargress played a steady hand throughout the night, creating offense with timely drives and facilitating CU’s shooters during their late surge. His and-one finishing during the second-half run helped Colorado regain complete control, and his playmaking kept the Buffs organized offensively when the Aggies threatened.

“I'm extremely comfortable initiating this offense, that's what CU brought me in to do,” Hargress said. “The first thing I thought about when I came here were all the weapons I have, like Bangot, [Rancik], and even Isaiah.”

The Buffaloes now take their first road trip for the Acrisure Holiday Classic in Palm Desert, California. The first of those games is against the San Francisco Dons (4-1) at 12 p.m. MT (CBSSN).

Cover photo by Remi Krupinski/Sko Buffs Sports