#15 Colorado Buffaloes Avoid Upset, Squeek Past Washington State Cougars in Overtime, 71-70
By Andrew Dill
Nov 8, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Xavier Johnson (2) laughs with teammates on the bench during the game against the Baylor Bears at American Airlines Center. Baylor won 72-60. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The #15 ranked Colorado Buffaloes received a scare Wednesday night as they came out sluggish and trailed for most of the game. They would end up defeating the Washington State Cougars by the final of 71-70. Colorado is now 14-2 on the season, including 3-0 in PAC-12 play,
Jaron Hopkins was subbed out for Xavier Talton after Dexter Kernich-Drew would knock down two free-throws to tie the game up at 53 apiece. It was a good move by head coach Tad Boyle because on the ensuing Buffs possession, Talton would knock down a clutch corner three to put the Buffs up 56-53. Washington State battled back and called a timeout with 10.3 seconds left in the game, down by 3. Que Johnson would come up big for the Cougars, knocking down a corner three of his own to tie the game at 56. Askia Booker would have the final shot but slipped on his shot which led to overtime.
Sophomore Josh Scott was huge for the Buffaloes in overtime, scoring 6 of his 19 points while picking up 2 offensive rebounds. Scott would finish the game one rebound shy of a double-double, collecting 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block. Washington State’s D.J. Shelton would make things interesting late with three-ball to bring the CU lead to within 3, 70-67. They would foul Colorado’s star point guard Spencer Dinwiddie on the ensuing possession. Dinwiddie would struggle the whole game even prior to the free-throws, shooting 2-of-5 from the field, including one three-pointer. Spencer would go 1-for-2 from the line putting CU up 4.
Cougars point guard Royce Woolridge would knock down a big shot late as he banked his three off of the glass to only trail by one. Spencer Dinwiddie was fouled with .03 seconds left. He would miss the first and purposely missed the second to drain the clock as the Buffaloes squeeked past the Cougars by the final score of 71-70.
Key Performers:
Colorado Buffaloes:
Besides Josh Scott, Askia Booker was shaky from the field going 2-for-12, but made up for it at the line knocking down an almost perfect 13-of-14, finishing the game with 18 points and 4 rebounds. Scott was the spark in the overtime period for the Buffs, scoring 6 of his 19 points.
Washington State Cougars:
Dexter Kernich-Drew was giving the Buffaloes fits all night, shooting 8-of-12 from the field including 6-of-8 from behind-the-arc. He finished with 24 points on the night, including 2 rebounds and 1 block.
The Colorado Buffaloes improved to 14-2, 3-0 in PAC-12 play and will travel to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET, 1:00 PM MT.