In an offensive slugfest, the Colorado Buffaloes (11-16, 2-14 Big 12) defeated the Baylor Bears (16-11, 8-8 Big 12) by a score of 76-74.
Baylor was able to score quickly off the opening tip, but the Buffaloes took their first lead of the night with a 3-pointer from guard Julian Hammond III. Baylor responded with scoring of its own as guard Langston Love knocked down a three on his way to a 13-point first half.
Heading into Saturday’s contest, Love only averaged 9.1 points per game but stepped up offensively in the first while the Buffs kept Baylor’s leading scorer, forward Norchad Omier, relatively quiet.
Colorado kept itself in the game with physical defense, namely on the perimeter. The Buffs held Baylor to 3-of-15 shooting from beyond the arc, one of which came on a buzzer-beater on the Bears’ last possession of the first half.
“Every guy on the team played good defense,” said CU forward Andrej Jakimovski. “We knew that we needed to do that in order to win the game.”
While the Buffs’ defensive rebounding was solid in the first half, their work on the offensive glass was another story. They only managed two offensive boards, leading to several second-chance buckets for Baylor.
“It’s a mentality,” said Buffs’ forward Sebastian Rancik. “We have to be more motivated and have more drive to go grab those boards.”
Those same second-chance points had Baylor out in front by a score of 32-30 at the half following the last-second shot from Love.
The second half opened up with more back-and-forth scoring until a 3-pointer from Rancik gave the Buffaloes the lead. Baylor also picked up its perimeter shooting in the half, raising its 3-point percentage as high as 33.3% after only shooting 20% in the first half.
Omier became the focus of Baylor’s offense in the second half, scoring nine more points on 4-for-4 shooting. The Buffaloes continued to apply defensive pressure, however, preventing any of his teammates from playing a major role.
Jakimovski led the way for CU’s offense, registering 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting. His success came from 3-point range and at the charity stripe, with all five of his field goals coming from beyond the arc while knocking down both his free throws.
Free throws played a key role in Colorado’s offensive success as a whole, as the team shot an efficient 21-of-25 from the line.
Despite a late surge from the Bears, Colorado was still able to hang on for the win as time expired. This marks its second win in conference play as the black and gold prepare for the No. 23 Kansas Jayhawks to come to town on Monday. The energy from the fans today played a major role in the win and will have to on Monday as well for what is arguably CU’s biggest game of the year.
“It’s a testament to the fans,” said Colorado head coach Tad Boyle. “I feel like this year they have given us more than we have given them.”
Monday’s showdown against the Jayhawks tips off at 9 p.m. MT from the CU Events Center and will be broadcast on ESPN.
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