Colorado fell short in the final seconds of Saturday night’s overtime thriller against Arizona State University, losing 62-63 at home. The loss snaps a three game win streak for Colorado and drops them to 17-8 overall and 7-6 within the Pac-12.
All night long, sophomore guard Spencer Dinwiddie kept the Buffs and finished with 24 points, including a drive to the hoop that put Colorado up 62-61 with eight seconds remaining in overtime.
ASU snatched the ball after Dinwiddie’s shot and moved their offense quickly down the court before Colorado had a chance to get fully set on defense. ASU’s Evan Gordon drove down the lane for a game winning lay-up as time expired.
They were focused on Arizona player Jahii Carson instead of Gordon in the final play, sophomore guard Askia Booker said.
Low-post physical play was present through the entire game and left freshman forward Josh Scott blacked out on the hardwood early in the second half. Head coach Tad Boyle said it was a very physical game from the start.
“Welcome to college football,” Coach Boyle said. “This might be the most physical basketball game I’ve ever been a part of, ever.”
The sheer physicality contributed to the game’s low score and had the Coors Events Center sellout crowd in an uproar over questionable officiating.
Colorado was led by strong offensive guard play from Booker and Dinwiddie, who combined for 41 of Colorado’s 62 points. Junior forward Andre Roberson and freshman forward Josh Scott were held in check as they combined for 4-16 shooting and eight total points, though Scott was unable to play most of the second half due to his head injury.
The game held much of the same theme as the last meeting the two had in Jan. 6, when ASU’s big men were, to be simple, just plain bigger. The Sundevils’ 7-2 foot, 250 pound center Jordan Bachynski was banging away at Scott and junior forward Shane Harris-Tunks all night long and had 12 points.
Freshman forward Xavier Johnson was coming off a season high 19-point performance against University of Arizona on Thursday and quietly had a double-double, including hitting the overtime-forcing basket with 2 seconds remaining in regulation.
At the end of the night Boyle says it was a tough loss and a sad loss for Buff basketball.
“Our guys are hurting, I’m hurting, our staff is hurting, and Buff nation is hurting,” Boyle said.
Colorado moves on to Utah next Thursday at 8:00 p.m. in Boulder. Buffs lost the previous meeting with Utah and the game is a must-win to stay competitive in the conference.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Grayson O’Roark at Grayson.oroark@colorado.edu.