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Dec 30, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard RJ Smith (5) lines up a shot in the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
One month after getting blown out by Iowa State in the Maui Invitational, Colorado gave those same Cyclones a scare in Monday’s Big 12 men’s basketball opener.
Head coach Tad Boyle’s CU Buffs led No. 3 Iowa State 57-56 midway through the second half before running out of gas. The visiting Cyclones scored the next seven points and ultimately held on for a 79-69 win.
With Andrej Jakimovski out due to illness, Colorado’s upset attempt was fueled by guards Julian Hammond III and RJ Smith, who each connected on three 3-pointers. Hammond led the Buffs with 21 points and Smith scored 14.
Guard Curtis Jones led the Cyclones with 20 points, including eight made free throws.
CU fell to 9-3 with the loss (0-1 Big 12) while Iowa State improved to 11-1 (1-0). On Saturday, the Buffs will face Arizona State in Tempe at 4 p.m. MT (ESPN+).
Check out the best photos from Colorado’s Big 12 opener:
Dec 30, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Nate Heise (0) and Iowa State Cyclones forward Brandton Chatfield (33) and Colorado Buffaloes guard Harrison Carrington (31) reach for the ball in the second half at CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Dec 30, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Julian Hammond III (3) shoots past Iowa State Cyclones center Dishon Jackson (1) in the second half at CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Dec 30, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Sebastian Rancik (7) shoots the ball in the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Dec 30, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Nate Heise (0) and forward Brandton Chatfield (33) defend on Colorado Buffaloes forward Trevor Baskin (6) in the second half at CU Events Center….
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Author : Buffaloes Wire
Publish date : 2024-12-31 05:02:00
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