BOULDER — Nobody said Colorado’s quest for its first men’s NCAA Tournament bid in eight years would come easy.
Down by 12 points early in the second half and never able to find its shooting touch from the field, Colorado rode the emotion of a crazed first sellout crowd this season of 11,096, along with terrific free-throw shooting, to pull out a 75-71 victory Saturday over Oklahoma State at the Coors Events Center.
Sophomore guard Alec Burks bagged two free throws with 10.8 seconds remaining to put the Buffaloes up 73-69 and clinch CU’s first 3-0 start to Big 12 Conference play since the Chauncey Billups-led 1996-97 team won six straight to open league play.
Don’t look now, but the Buffs (14-4, 3-0 Big 12) continue to sit atop the conference standings, with victory notches over ranked opponents Missouri and Kansas State, and now this. They’re certainly gaining respect nationwide.
“I don’t really care,” CU senior guard Cory Higgins said. “We haven’t gotten respect since I got here. I don’t think Kansas State gave us respect after we beat them. It doesn’t matter to us because we all have each other’s backs.”
Higgins contributed a game-high 23 points in extending the Buffs’ overall winning streak to seven games. The 6-foot-6 Burks recorded a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds. But the Buffs had to overcome 37.5 percent shooting to turn back the Cowboys (13-4, 1-2).
Colorado was coming off two headline-grabbing victories. This might have been tougher.
“(Oklahoma State) came in with a great game plan,” CU coach Tad Boyle said, referring to the Cowboys pounding the ball inside against his undersized post players. “But to get out of here with a win is a testament to our players.
“When you shoot 37 percent and you win a basketball game in this league, you’re doing some things right.”
CU remained unbeaten in 11 home games this season, thanks to a ridiculous 34-for-39 (.872) on free throws, a 39-24 rebounding advantage against a bigger, stronger Cowboys frontcourt and several late defensive stops.
“You are not going to win a game when one team shoots 39 free throws and one shoots 14,” said Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford. “It’s just like banging your head against the wall.
“We were playing well offensively, getting whatever we wanted offensively and executing, but just fouling, fouling on the other end.”
CU trailed only 38-34 at the break despite 25.9 shooting in the half, then found a way to rally after falling behind 54-42 on a 3-pointer by junior Keiton Page, Oklahoma State’s 5-9 gym rat.
Colorado kept its composure, however. Higgins started driving the lane and sparked a 16-4 run with nine points, and Burks tied the game at 58-58 with two free throws.
Colorado never trailed after two Marcus Relphorde free throws put the Buffs up 62-61 with 4:14 to play. The Buffs converted 9-of-10 free throws in the final three minutes.
“We showed something else this team can do,” Higgins said of grinding for an ugly win that felt pretty wonderful. “We’re encouraged by it.”
CU-Ku tickets cost big bucks
Tickets for Colorado’s next men’s basketball home game — Jan. 25 against Kansas — are believed to be the highest-priced in CU history: $40 for general admission, $50 for midcourt seats, with no discounts for kids. The prices were set by CU before the season. CU home games against Kansas have carried a premium pricing structure for many years. In the past, though, the KU game was included in a required three-game pack. By comparison, general admission tickets for Saturday’s home game against Oklahoma State were $10 for general admission, $20 for midcourt seats and $5 for kids.
CU’s 3-0 conference starts since 1950
Season Start Coach
2010-11* 3-0 Tad Boyle
1996-97 6-0 Ricardo Patton
1968-69 4-0 Sox Walseth
1962-63 5-0 Sox Walseth
1961-62 11-0 Sox Walseth
1955-56 3-0 H.B. Lee
1954-55 5-0 H.B. Lee
*ongoing
