BOULDER — Things got away from Colorado early, and the best Kansas State men’s basketball team in decades wasn’t about to give it back.
After spotting the hosts a brief, early lead, Kansas State flexed its speed, strength and superior athleticism Wednesday night and cruised to a 72-56 victory over the Buffaloes in front of 6,992 at the Coors Events Center.
CU (9-9, 1-3 Big 12) went up 13-12 with 14:06 left in the first half when senior guard Richard Roby bagged a 3-pointer from the top of the key. But the Buffs wouldn’t score again until Roby converted a free throw with 7:31 to go.
Kansas State (13-4, 3-0) took advantage with a 15-0 run, 10 of those points scored off sloppy turnovers by Colorado. Unbeaten after three conference games for the first time since 1987-88 in the old Big Eight, Kansas State never trailed after that spurt.
“They put a little bit of pressure on us,” Roby said of CU’s 6 1/2-minute scoring drought. “We got rattled and that led to easy baskets for them.”
CU senior guard Marcus Hall did give the home crowd a reason to cheer early in the second half when he stole a Wildcats pass and raced to the other end for a layup, pulling the Buffs to within 34-30.
But Kansas State answered with an 11-3 run, capped by a layup from sure-fire All-American Michael Beasley, to go up 45-33 with 12:56 left.
Colorado tried to make Beasley work for his points, double-teaming the hulking, 6-foot-10 freshman each time he touched the ball down low. Beasley got into early foul trouble and took just two shots in the first half, for three points.
He exploded after the break, however, and finished with 29 points, bettering his Big 12-leading average of 24.6 per game.
“If I could put two halves together, I’d be amazing,” Beasley said.
Ridiculous is what he would be. A potential first pick in whichever NBA draft he enters, Beasley was the main reason a dozen pro scouts scribbled down notes during the game. He certainly made a positive impression on a former NBA head coach — CU’s first-year boss, Jeff Bzdelik.
“Give Beasley credit, he out-hustled us,” Bzdelik said. “That’s on me. I’m the coach. (But) he’s a real talented player. And if his head and his heart stay right, he can be as good as he wants to be.”
Roby tried to carry Colorado, scoring 15 of his team-high 27 points in the first half to keep the Buffs within 34-26 at the break. He also grabbed nine rebounds, bettered only by Beasley’s 13.
Colorado, lacking firepower and size, had to play a near perfect game. That didn’t happen. The Buffs committed 17 turnovers. They were outrebounded 41-30. And 14 missed free throws resulted in far too many empty possessions.
“We have to be more disciplined in all areas,” Bzdelik said.
KANSAS STATE (13-4, 3-0 BIG 12)
Gilbert 3-7 1-1 7, Walker 6-12 5-6 18, Beasley 9-17 11-13 29, Young 2-5 2-2 7, Stewart 0-3 1-2 1, Pullen 2-8 0-3 5, Sutton 0-2 0-0 0, Merriewether 0-0 0-0 0, Kent 2-3 1-2 5, Colon 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-57 21-29 72.
COLORADO (9-9, 1-3)
King-Stockton 0-0 1-4 1, Hall 2-4 0-2 4, Higgins 3-6 2-4 10, Silas 3-10 2-3 9, Roby 8-17 9-12 27, Thorne II 0-1 0-0 0, Knutson 0-4 0-0 0, Jackson-Wilson 1-3 3-6 5. Totals 17-45 17-31 56.
Halftime — KSU 34-26. 3-point goals — KSU 3-11 (Walker 1-1, Young 1-2, Pullen 1-4, Kent 0-1, Stewart 0-1, Beasley 0-1, Gilbert 0-1); CU 5-14 (Higgins 2-3, Roby 2-4, Silas 1-2, Hall 0-2, Knutson 0-3). Fouled out — King-Stockton. Rebounds — KSU 41 (Beasley 13), CU 30 (Roby 9). Assists — KSU 12 (Young 4), CU 12 (Hall 5). Total fouls — KSU 23, CU 22. A — 6,992.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
