Colorado’s still looking for their first conference win in February.
We are officially over halfway done with conference play, but the Colorado Buffaloes are still looking for their first conference win since returning to the Big 12 this season.
After falling to the Utah Utes by a final score of 72-59 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, CU falls to 0-11 in Big 12 play and can’t wake up from their seemingly never-ending nightmare.
That nightmare resumed quickly in the hills of Salt Lake on Wednesday, as Colorado’s first half was about as ugly as it could get. The Buffaloes shot only 8 of 29 and 27.6% from the floor, scoring only 20 points in the first 20 minutes of play, being the lowest amount of points Colorado has scored in the first half of a game since November 2019.
CU’s only consistent scorer in the first frame proved to be guard Javon Ruffin, who drilled back-to-back three-pointers in the first five minutes of play, finishing the half with eight points and three makes on four attempts. Buffaloes who aren’t named Javon Ruffin would shoot only 20% and five of 25 from the floor.
Luckily for the Buffs, Utah also had severe struggles on the offensive floor, which kept this game in reach for Colorado. The Utes started the game shooting only two of 10 from the free-throw line and finished the half shooting only 47.1% (8-17) on FTs. Utah didn’t shoot well from the floor either, making only 11 of their 23 attempts, but that proved significantly better than Colorado.
CU headed to the locker rooms down 20-32, looking to regroup and build any sort of offensive momentum.
Thankfully for Colorado, four Utah turnovers in the first five minutes of the second half would allow the Buffs to chip away at the lead. CU would parlay those turnovers into a 7-0 run to open play. The Buffaloes would continue to shoot the ball well in the second frame, making 50% (13-26) of their shots from the floor.
Bangot Dak, who had a quiet first half, caught fire to bring Colorado right back into the contest. Dak drilled four of his five field goals, including his one attempt from beyond the arc, alongside two boards, three blocks and two steals, all in the second half. Fueled by Dak, Colorado roared back into the game to cut Utah’s lead to only 55-52 with only 3:58 to play.
After cutting the score to a one-possession game with less than five minutes to play, the Buffaloes completely fell apart. CU would allow Utah to rip off an 11-0 run to put the game away, fueled by missed shots and turnovers. When the going got tough, Colorado broke, just like they’ve done all season.
72-59 in favor of the Utes proved to be the final score in Salt Lake City on Wednesday. Colorado managed to keep it close despite their first-half struggles, but an atrocious final four minutes of play would be the nail in their coffin.
Javon Ruffin and Bangot Dak tried to carry the team across the finish line but ultimately couldn’t finish the job. Ruffin finished the contest with 13 points and three makes beyond the arc, along with two boards and three assists. Dak would rack up 11 points, four rebounds, three steals and blocks of his own.
Now 0-11 in Big 12 play, Colorado will have to face off against the #5 Houston Cougars in Boulder on Saturday, February 8th. Tipoff will be at 2:00 pm MT. Fans interested in watching the game can tune in to ESPN+ to see if the Buffs can shock the world and get their first conference win against a top-five team in the nation.