BOULDER — Colorado’s three honorees made sure Senior Day became especially memorable, coming up big in the 67-55 victory Saturday over Iowa State.
Marcus Hall waited until his final home game to set a career scoring mark with 31 points, the highest total by a CU player this season. Richard Roby recorded 11 of his 17 points in the second half. And playing one of his best defensive games, 6-foot-9 Marcus King-Stockton patrolled the paint, blocking four shots to match his career best and move into sixth place on the school’s all-time list in that category.
Colorado (11-17, 3-11 Big 12) snapped a four-game losing streak and then saluted the senior trio and their families during a ceremony afterward.
Leading just 26-24 at halftime, the Buffs opened the second half with a 10-0 run. CU’s 72.7 percent shooting after the break forced Iowa State to play catch-up.
The 6-2 Hall seemed to pop up everywhere. When he wasn’t bombing 3-pointers (3-for-5), he drove the lane or kicked out the ball to an open shooter. Hall added game-highs of eight rebounds and four assists.
But, Hall said, the scoreboard posted the most important numbers.
“It feels good, but I just wanted to win,” Hall said, when asked about reaching 30 points for the first time in his career.
Seniors can turn Senior Day into a dud if they try too hard, which is human nature. CU coach Jeff Bzdelik told the trio before the game to focus on defense and rebounding rather than worrying about putting on a show.
“To hold Iowa State to 55 points, that’s a great defensive effort,” Bzdelik said. “(This season) hasn’t been what we all would have liked. But these seniors, with their leadership, have enabled us to play competitively.”
A month earlier in Ames, Iowa State (14-15, 4-10) held Colorado to its lowest point total of the season (41) and cruised to a 16-point victory over the Buffs. On Saturday, Colorado scored 41 points in the second half.
“(Roby and Hall) made plays that you would want a senior to make,” ISU coach Greg McDermott said.
Afterward, Roby challenged himself and his teammates to finish out the season with the same ramped-up intensity.
“It’s fun to win when you play your hardest,” he said. “That was the best part about today.”
IOWA STATE (14-15, 4-10 Big 12)
W.Johnson 5-13 0-0 13, Brackins 3-9 2-2 8, Hubalek 2-8 3-4 7, Haluska 2-9 4-4 9, Petersen 2-6 2-2 8, Boozer 1-1 0-0 3, Lee 0-0 0-0 0, Garrett 2-7 0-0 5, Thompson 0-1 0-0 0, C.Johnson 1-1 0-0 2, Currie 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-55 11-12 55.
COLORADO (11-17, 3-11)
Jackson-Wilson 3-4 3-5 9, King-Stockton 2-6 0-0 4, Hall 13-21 2-5 31, Higgins 2-3 1-4 5, Roby 6-12 4-4 17, Thorne II 0-0 0-0 0, Knutson 0-1 1-2 1, Zehnder 0-0 0-0 0, Beckley 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-47 11-20 67.
Halftime — Colorado 26-24. 3-point goals —Iowa St. 8-22 (W.Johnson 3-6, Petersen 2-5, Boozer 1-1, Garrett 1-2, Haluska 1-4, Hubalek 0-2, Brackins 0-2), Colorado 4-7 (Hall 3-5, Roby 1-1, Knutson 0-1). Fouled out —Hubalek. Rebounds — Iowa St. 30 (Brackins, Hubalek 7), Colorado 32 (Hall 8). Assists — Iowa St. 11 (Garrett, Petersen 3), Colorado 12 (Hall 4). Total fouls — Iowa St. 19, Colorado 13. A — 6,684.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
