Head coach Tad Boyle’s 300th win leading the Colorado men’s basketball program wasn’t exactly his prettiest.
Going up against a Northern Colorado team that lost by 22 in Boulder last year, the Buffs committed 21 turnovers and produced only nine assists in a sloppy Friday night affair. Colorado watched UNC hit a game-tying 3-pointer late in regulation before finally pulling away late in the second overtime.
The 90-88 home victory sends Colorado to 2-0 on the young season.
Center Elijah Malone was Colorado’s leading scorer by a wide margin. The junior college transfer tallied 27 points, shooting 8-for-12 from the field and 10-for-12 from the stripe. Guards Julian Hammond III and Javon Ruffin followed with 12 points each.
Through two games, Colorado’s bench production has been a bright spot. The Buffs’ non-starters combined for 37 points against Eastern Washington on Monday and followed that up with 26 on Friday, albeit in 10 extra minutes. Bench weapons Trevor Baskin and RJ Smith each scored nine against the Bears.
Assane Diop recorded a team-high 10 rebounds and Baskin finished with nine.
Up next, Colorado will host the Cal State Fullerton Titans on Wednesday at 7 p.m. MT (ESPN+).
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