Ames, Iowa – Colorado saw its five-game Big 12 Conference winning streak disappear Sunday, and almost certainly its national ranking, too. But the Buffaloes had a more pressing matter on their minds after a 96-79 trouncing by Iowa State.
Iowa State’s trapping zone press.
“We didn’t handle it very well,” said CU sophomore guard Richard Roby, who fouled out for the first time this season and was limited to 10 points, his lowest output in eight league games. “When we turned the ball over, that press got tougher and tougher. We just fed it to them.”
Committing 18 turnovers, Colorado (15-4, 5-3 Big 12) dropped into a tie for third place in the league standings. The Buffs, ranked No. 25 in the ESPN-USA Today coaches poll, appeared helpless and hapless as Iowa State guard Curtis Stinson continually beat everybody down the court and recorded the third triple-double in school history with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Iowa State (14-7, 4-4), which also got 24 points from sophomore swingman Rahshon Clark, snapped a rare three- game home losing streak and reclaimed some “Hilton (Coliseum) Magic” in front of 13,358 fans.
The Cyclones overcame an early 18-8 deficit and switched to an attack mode. Iowa State players scrambled for most loose balls, registered 10 steals, grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and let Stinson tuck away the victory in his back pocket.
After Iowa State clawed to a 53-40 lead early in the second half, Stinson smelled blood. The 6-foot-3 junior scored the Cyclones’ next 10 points. During the flurry, Stinson burned the Buffs for four easy baskets on fast breaks and slashing drives to the hoop.
Stinson capped his one-man assault by weaving through CU’s almost nonexistent transition defense for an uncontested layup that put the Cyclones up 63-43 with 11:44 to go and drew a mighty roar from cardinal-and-gold clad fans who had suffered through five home losses last month, including league battles with Texas, Texas A&M and Kansas.
“We let a lot of games slip away here at home,” Stinson said. “(Sunday) we never let our foot off the gas.”
Iowa State’s 96 points were the most allowed by CU in conference action. CU’s 18 turnovers matched its high for conference games.
Having tried hard to recruit Roby and knowing him on a personal level, the Cyclones seemed to anticipate his every move. Roby entered the game as the Big 12’s leading scorer (22.6 points per game) in conference play, but attempted only four shots in the first half.
“It was frustrating,” Roby said.
Although Colorado hadn’t played in seven days, Buffs coach Ricardo Patton said his team wasn’t “mentally ready” for Iowa State’s pressure defense. A victory by CU might have all but clinched an NCAA Tournament berth. Now, the Buffs have only four remaining chances to impress the selection committee with another road victory.
And there’s a short turnaround to get things turned around. CU plays Wednesday at Texas A&M.
“I don’t think you can lose momentum with one loss in this league, or even two losses,” Patton said. “Our guys just have to bounce back.”
Footnotes
Colorado junior guard Marcus Hall tallied 16 points in the first half but suffered from a back spasms and failed to score in the second half. CU trainer Eric Fry said the symptoms were similar to those that knocked Hall out of the Kansas State game Jan. 28. Further tests may be conducted today. … ISU’s previous triple-doubles were attained by Jamaal Tinsley (vs. Missouri in 2000) and Marc Urquhart (vs. Illinois-Chicago in 1989).
COLORADO (15-4, 5-3 Big 12)
Freeman 3-5 5-9 11, Copeland 5-10 4-7 17, Hall 6-14 0-0 16, Roby 4-12 1-1 10, Ashby 4-6 0-0 8, Eddy 0-0 0-0 0, Senger 0-0 0-0 0, Coleman 1-3 0-0 2, Williams 3-3 1-2 7, Arrington 0-0 0-0 0, King-Stockton 0-0 0-2 0, Osborn 2-10 0-0 6, McGee 0-0 0-0 0, Obazuaye 1-5 0-1 2. Totals 29-68 11-22 79.
IOWA ST. (14-7, 4-4)
Taggart 4-10 3-6 11, Stinson 11-17 1-2 24, Blalock 5-14 5-6 15, Clark 8-13 6-7 24, Hubalek 2-6 4-4 8, Ceaser 0-0 0-0 0, Gray 5-7 1-2 13, Neal 0-3 0-0 0, Bergstrom 0-1 0-0 0, Evanovich 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 35-71 21-29 96.
Halftime – Iowa State 45-35. 3-point goals – Colorado 10-28 (Hall 4-8, Copeland 3-4, Osborn 2-9, Roby 1-4, Freeman 0-1, Obazuaye 0-2), Iowa St. 5-13 (Gray 2-2, Clark 2-4, Stinson 1-3, Blalock 0-1, Neal 0-3). Fouled out – Hubalek, Roby. Rebounds – Colorado 39 (Copeland 8), Iowa St. 46 (Clark 14). Assists – Colorado 14 (Roby 4), Iowa St. 16 (Stinson 10). Total fouls – Colorado 26, Iowa St. 18. A – 13,358.
Staff writer Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
