BOULDER – Colorado’s basketball team put on an impressive show this past Saturday, almost overcoming a huge deficit against No. 14 Texas Tech in a nail-biting finish. The Buffaloes lost 73-71 at the CU Events Center, bringing their record to 12-4 and 2-1 in the Big 12.
The game took a wild turn in the second half. After trailing by 24 points, the Buffs rallied with a thrilling 20-3 run. With seconds left on the clock, Barrington Hargress had a shot to tie it, but the ball rimmed out.
“We didn’t have a timeout,” Hargress reflected on that final moment. “We just focused on making a stop and getting a good shot up.”
Freshman Isaiah Johnson was the star for the Buffaloes, scoring all 21 of his points in the second half and going a perfect 13-13 at the free-throw line. Hargress contributed 17 points, and Sebastian Rancik added 13 points and eight rebounds.
Texas Tech, for their part, had a balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures. Donovan Atwell led the charge with five three-pointers, while JT Toppin recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The first half saw the Red Raiders excel from beyond the arc, hitting eight three-pointers at a sharp 47.1% shooting. In contrast, Colorado struggled, missing field goals late in the half and finishing strong just before the break with Texas Tech leading 43-27.
Looking at recent statistics, rebound control has been an area of concern for Colorado this season. The Buffaloes have consistently given up offensive rebounds, which allowed Texas Tech to score 10 second-chance points in this game alone. Coach Tad Boyle pointed this out, emphasizing the importance of finishing possessions.
“This year’s Achilles heel is our inability to finish possessions,” he said. “It’s not just about winning or losing; it’s how we’re executing.”
Despite the tough loss, there were bright spots in the Colorado lineup. With their energy and three-point shooting improving, there’s hope as they move forward. Boyle believes that if the team can maintain the competitive spirit they showed in the last few minutes, they can take on any opponent.
As fans share their thoughts on social media, many express optimism about the team’s potential despite the loss. Community support remains strong, highlighting the resilience of both players and fans alike.
Colorado will look to bounce back on Wednesday, January 14, against Cincinnati at 5 p.m. MT.
For further insights, you can read more about team strategies and player developments in reports from ESPN and other trusted sources.
