Categories: College University Athletics

University Basketball: Buffaloes Stumble Against Arizona State

The Colorado Buffaloes in action during their game against Arizona State, showing intense competition.

News Summary

In a tough matchup, the Colorado Buffaloes suffered an 81-61 defeat against Arizona State in Tempe. The Buffaloes struggled with shooting efficiency, posting a season-low field goal percentage of 34.8%. Despite a late rally before halftime, Colorado’s second half failed to maintain momentum. Graduate transfer Trevor Baskin stood out with 23 points, showcasing potential despite the defeat. The loss leaves Colorado searching for their first win in Big 12 play as they prepare for a crucial matchup against UCF.

Buffaloes Stumble in Tempe: Arizona State Takes Down Colorado in Big 12 Clash

Tempe, Arizona – The Colorado Buffaloes headed into their match against Arizona State with hopes high, but unfortunately, they found themselves on the wrong end of an 81-61 defeat at the Desert Financial Arena this past weekend. In what can only be described as a rocky start to the New Year for the Buffaloes, they faced a well-oiled Sun Devils machine that proved too much to handle.

First Half Findings: A Struggle for the Buffaloes

The game got off to a rough start for Colorado as they quickly fell behind. Arizona State’s offensive performance was nothing short of impressive, which left the Buffaloes battling to keep up right from the tip-off. The Sun Devils jumped out to an early lead that ballooned to a daunting 23 points at one stage during the first half. Colorado struggled to find its rhythm on the offensive end, resulting in a season-low field goal percentage of 34.8% and a dismal 12.5% from three-point range.

Despite the slow start, the Buffaloes managed to claw back just before halftime. After a solid 10-0 run in the last few minutes of the half, they managed to reduce their deficit to 13 points as they headed into the locker room. This late surge gave fans a glimmer of hope that the Buffaloes could turn their fortunes around in the second half.

Second Half Struggles: A Duplication of the First

3-for-16 shooting performance. Once again, Arizona State showcased their skill, efficiently capitalizing on every opportunity and not letting Colorado back into the game. The Buffaloes simply couldn’t keep pace with the Sun Devils’ scoring, which continued unabated through the afternoon.

Star Performers: Bright Spots for Colorado

Despite the tough loss, there were some standout performances for the Buffaloes. Graduate transfer Trevor Baskin delivered an exceptional game, scoring a season-high 23 points, accompanied by 10 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, and 1 block. This marked Baskin’s second double-double with the team and his first time breaking the 20-point barrier since joining CU. Additionally, the Buffaloes’ bench stepped up, contributing an impressive 40 points, showcasing depth in their roster.

Meanwhile, Arizona State had their own highlight with BJ Freeman achieving a season-best with 19 points. The Sun Devils collectively shot an efficient 51.9% from the field and an encouraging 46.4% beyond the arc. This shooting prowess was a critical factor in their decisive win over Colorado.

Moving Forward: What’s Next for Colorado?

As the Buffaloes look to regroup, they know they need to address their defensive lapses and find better shooting efficiency moving forward. With this loss, Colorado’s record now stands at 9-4, and they have yet to secure a win in their Big 12 Conference play, falling to 0-2 in the league. Arizona State improved to 10-3 and found themselves back on track at 1-1 in conference play.

Next up for the Buffaloes is a crucial match against the University of Central Florida (UCF) on January 8, 2025, at 5 p.m. MT. This upcoming game is a chance for Colorado to regroup and get back on the winning track as the season progresses. Fans will certainly be hoping for a turnaround as the Buffaloes look to fight back and show what they’re truly made of!