In a pivotal Pac-12 showdown between bubble teams, the Colorado Buffaloes asserted their dominance early and never looked back, cruising to an 89-65 victory over the Utah Utes on Saturday at the CU Events Center in Boulder. Despite an initial 3-0 lead by Utah, Colorado swiftly took control, launching a 12-0 run to establish a commanding 12-3 advantage with 15:36 remaining in the first half. From that point onward, the Buffaloes maintained their lead, entering halftime with a 43-34 edge despite a late surge by the Utes.
Photo Cred: 9News
Although Utah managed to stay within striking distance early in the second half, cutting the deficit to 55-45 with 15:48 remaining, Colorado soon pulled away decisively, embarking on a 15-6 run to secure a commanding 70-51 lead with just over nine minutes left in the game. Senior guard J’Vonne Hadley led the charge for the Buffaloes in the first half, notching 17 points, while junior guard KJ Simpson continued his impressive form with 14 points after a standout 30-point performance against USC last week.
Despite a brief injury scare to freshman forward Cody Williams, who returned in the second half, Colorado maintained their momentum. Meanwhile, Utah struggled to find its rhythm offensively, shooting just 44.3% from the field and a mere 17.4% from three-point range. Senior guard Gabe Madsen provided a bright spot for the Utes with 18 points, but it wasn’t enough to counter Colorado’s dominance.
Photo Cred: AP News
Simpson and Hadley maintained their stellar performances in the second half, with Simpson finishing the game with 28 points and Hadley contributing 20 points and nine rebounds. The Buffaloes showcased an all-around solid offensive display, shooting 54.2% from the field and 47.6% from beyond the arc while committing just four turnovers, their lowest since 2010. Following the game, Colorado coach Tad Boyle commended his team’s performance, praising Simpson and Hadley for their contributions.
With both teams vying for NCAA tournament berths, the victory proved crucial for Colorado’s postseason aspirations. Sitting tied for fourth place in the Pac-12 alongside UCLA, the Buffaloes will aim to solidify their position in the conference standings as they enter the final stretch of the regular season. Colorado (18-9, 9-7 Pac-12) will continue their homestand against California next Wednesday, while Utah (16-11, 7-9 Pac-12) seeks to bounce back when they host Stanford next Thursday.
