FORT COLLINS — It opened as a men’s basketball game Colorado couldn’t lose, the Buffs shooting nearly 70 percent the first 20 minutes. It ended as a contest Colorado State couldn’t win inside, despite shooting 75 percent behind the arc in the second half.
When the Rams (5-7) went inside to 7-footer Stuart Creason at the end, CU’s Marcus King-Stockton was there for the critical final stop. The Buffs (6-5) prevailed 73-70, ending CSU’s two-game winning streak in the series.
“We talked at halftime that they were shooting 70 percent,” Creason said. “You can’t beat anyone in America letting them do that.”
The Buffs cooled slightly at Moby Arena after leading 41-33 at halftime while CSU’s Willis Gardner and Marcus Walker started flinging 3-pointers that found a way in. By the time it was over, every CSU player except two 7-footers and walk-on Adam Nigon made at least one 3-pointer.
Gardner provided CSU with a 70-68 lead on a 3-pointer with 1:15 to play. After a free throw by CU’s Cory Higgins, King-Stockton made a layup to put the Buffs ahead 71-70 with 31.3 seconds remaining. Creason had position on the baseline to put CSU back in front with 15 seconds left, but King-Stockton altered the shot. Two free throws by CU’s Marcus Hall and a buzzer miss by Walker determined the final score.
“We weren’t finishing games,” said CU senior guard Richard Roby, who dominated with 18 points, six rebounds and two steals. “We did a better job finishing today.”
It took several timeout reminders by first-year Buffs coach Jeff Bzdelik. CU also had an early double-figure lead on New Orleans in its previous game, only to lose at home.
“What was really great about this win was the way we won in terms of (four) players in double figures,” Bzdelik said. “We had 21 assists on 28 baskets, which is a sign of unselfishness.”
On two big stops on Creason late in the game, Bzdelik recalled from his two seasons as Air Force’s coach that CSU’s big man tends to turn over his left shoulder. So King-Stockton stayed with that shoulder.
CU and CSU coaches have seen improvement from the start of the season as league play approaches.
“We’re 3-2 on the road and that’s not bad,” Bzdelik said. “It’s a sign of progress.”
While disappointed with the loss in front of the first vocal home crowd in three games, first-year CSU coach Tim Miles said: “I will not let the scoreboard define this team. That’s a disservice to the kids. We were able to rally when we got down. When we make 3s and get it to Stuart inside, we can be competitive with anyone.”
COLORADO (6-5)
Hall 4-9 2-3 12, Higgins 5-7 2-4 13, Silas 6-8 0-0 16, Roby 7-14 3-4 18, Jackson-Wilson 3-7 1-2 7, Thorne II 1-3 0-0 2, Knutson 0-0 0-0 0, King-Stockton 2-3 1-2 5. Totals 28-51 9-15 73.
COLORADO STATE (5-7)
Walker 7-14 0-0 17, McFarland 3-5 0-0 8, Simmons 2-3 1-2 6, Creason 6-12 2-3 14, Gardner 5-8 0-0 13, Clayman 2-3 0-0 6, Nigon 0-1 1-2 1, Woodard 2-4 0-0 5, Aguilar 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-50 4-7 70.
Halftime — CU 41-33. 3-point goals — CU 8-17 (Silas 4-5, Hall 2-6, Higgins 1-2, Roby 1-3, Thorne II 0-1), CSU 12-18 (Gardner 3-4, Walker 3-6, Clayman 2-2, McFarland 2-3, Simmons 1-1, Woodard 1-2). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — CU 29 (King-Stockton 8), CSU 21 (Creason 6). Assists — CU 21 (Higgins 7), CSU 15 (Gardner 5, Walker 5). Total fouls — CU 12, CSU 14. A — 5,377.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
