It was becoming this historic win occurred in opposition to Northern Colorado.
The Colorado males’s basketball staff saved its momentum intact by pulling away from the Bears for an 88-77 victory on Sunday afternoon on the CU Occasions Heart.
It was the third win in a row for the Buffs and their eleventh in a row within the intrastate rivalry in opposition to UNC. Extra considerably, it was win No. 261 at CU for head coach Tad Boyle, transferring him right into a tie with Sox Walseth for this system’s all-time document. Boyle is a Greeley native who spent 4 seasons as UNC’s head coach earlier than transferring to CU.
“It’s particular to be a part of,” CU level guard KJ Simpson mentioned. “He’s an excellent coach. He’s all the time onerous on us, however he simply needs one of the best for us. He actually cares about us and we care about him the identical approach. It’s actual particular to be beneath a coach like that and have him information us and train us the right way to play the precise approach.”
CU led 46-39 at halftime and held a five-point lead halfway via the second half earlier than scoring eight consecutive factors in what became an 11-1 run. UNC shot 50% through the first half however the Buffs held the Bears to a .433 mark (13-for-30) after halftime.
A trio of native Colorado gamers for UNC — Dalton Knecht, Matt Johnson II and former Buff Daylen Kountz — helped maintain the Bears in it, combining to attain 56 of UNC’s 77 factors. Knecht hit 4 3-pointers and posted 24 factors, however Kountz was held to a 6-for-16 mark.
The Buffs’ 38-28 rebounding benefit helped produce a 14-5 edge in second-chance factors.
“It was an excellent win for us,” Boyle mentioned. “I knew coming in UNC had some actually dynamic offensive gamers. I believe anyone that was on the recreation or listened to it or watched it is aware of why I used to be somewhat nervous coming into (Sunday’s) recreation. Clearly Daylen is a particular child who began his profession right here. Three Colorado youngsters got here in right here and actually tried to provide it to us. I knew they’d be powerful to protect, and so they have been.
“It was an excellent win in opposition to a staff that’s going to win a whole lot of video games within the Huge Sky this yr.”
Three days after posting career-highs with 25 factors and 9 rebounds in opposition to North Alabama, junior ahead Tristan da Silva loved one other large recreation, ending with 26 factors and eight rebounds. 4 gamers scored in double figures for the Buffs, with Simpson going 7-for-10 with 18 factors and 4 assists.
CU topped the 50% mark from the sphere for the third consecutive recreation, ending with a .565 mark. The Buffs additionally continued to make strides within the turnover division, which was an enormous shortcoming for the membership via the primary week of December. CU completed with simply 11 turnovers, its fourth-lowest mark of the season. CU’s 88 factors was its third-highest scoring complete of the season.
“It’s a must to maintain scoring in opposition to UNC as a result of it’s onerous to cease these guys. It truly is,” Boyle mentioned. “They’re a gifted offensive staff. As gifted an offensive staff as we’ve performed all yr lengthy.”
Snapshot: UNC Bears at CU Buffs
Turning level: CU scored eight straight factors to start an 11-1 run halfway via the second half that blew the sport open.
Buff of the sport: Tristan da Silva. The junior ahead recorded a career-high for the second consecutive recreation, going 10-for-15 earlier than ending with 26 factors and eight rebounds.
What’s subsequent?: Tad Boyle will attempt to take sole possession of this system’s all-time wins document when the Buffs full a four-game homestand in opposition to Southern Utah on Wednesday (5 p.m., Pac-12 Mountain).
Colorado 88, Northern Colorado 77
UNC (5-6)
Abercrombie 2-6 0-0 6, Hughes 2-4 0-0 4, Kountz 6-16 4-7 17, Johnson II 6-13 2-2 15, Knecht 9-18 2-3 24, Wisne 4-4 0-0 8, Shaw 1-3 0-0 3, Creech 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-64 8-12 77.
Colorado (7-5)
da Silva 10-15 4-5 26, Lovering 0-2 0-2 0, Simpson 7-10 2-2 18, Hadley 4-11 1-2 9, Clifford 4-8 0-0 8, Gabbidon 2-4 0-0 4, Wright 0-0 0-0 0, Hammond III 4-7 1-2 11, Ruffin 4-5 2-2 12. Totals 35-62 10-15 88.
Halftime — Colorado 46-39. 3-point subject objectives — UNC 9-19 (Abercrombie 2-5, Kountz 1-2, Johnson II 1-4, Knecht 4-7, Shaw 1-1); Colorado 8-15 (da Silva 2-5, Simpson 2-2, Clifford 0-2, Gabbidon 0-1, Hammond III 2-2, Ruffin 2-3). Rebounds — UNC 28 (Johnson II 5); Colorado 38 (Hadley 9). Assists — UNC 10 (Kountz 4); Colorado 16 (Simpson 4). Whole fouls — UNC 15, Colorado 15. A — 6,015.