Colorado is 8-0 for the first time in 76 years, even though California Baptist may have made the Buffaloes feel like they were 76 years old Monday.
The Buffaloes trailed by two at halftime — and 14 earlier in the half — to the Western Athletic Conference school before finally putting the game away with a 16-0 run late in the second half for a 78-70 victory.
Colorado takes to the court again Saturday when the Buffaloes play Colorado State (6-2) in Fort Collins, Colo.
“I felt like we should have been down 20 if we play like that,” Colorado coach Tad Boyle said. “I’d rather learn from wins than losses, but each game gets a little tougher. We haven’t played in a true road environment since Australia over the summer, but we’re sure going to get one on Saturday (at Colorado State).”
Freshman guard Isaiah Johnson bailed the Buffaloes out with 17 points, including 9-of-11 from the free-throw line. It was Johnson’s fourth game with at least 17 points, and he is averaging 15.1 points per game.
Sebastian Rancik is scoring 13 ppg with 5.4 rebounds per game for the Buffaloes. Bangor Dak leads the team with 7.5 rebounds per game and is also scoring 11.6 ppg.
The Buffaloes were averaging 90.3 ppg heading into the California Baptist game and managed to score 78 despite scoring only nine points in the first 12 minutes.
The Rams are coming off a 2-1 trip to the Bahamas Thanksgiving week.
Colorado State lost to Virginia Tech 66-64 before collecting two solid wins, 76-70 over Wichita State and 83-68 over South Florida, in the Battle 4 Atlantis.
“The first two games were absolute wars,” Colorado State coach Ali Farokhmanesh said. “So for us to bounce back and handle that situation (South Florida) as well, I thought it showed the resiliency of the group and how they rise to the occasion of what’s needed.”
Sophomore forward Kyle Jorgensen leads the way for the Rams with 14.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Junior forward Carey Booth, who has scored in double figures in every game, averages 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
–Field Level Media
