AMES, IOWA — The Colorado men’s basketball team had an answer to every one of Iowa State’s runs — until time ran out.
The Buffaloes took a huge blow to their NCAA Tournament hopes, losing 95-90 on the road to the Big 12’s worst team Wednesday. CU is now 3-9 on the road, and, considering their position at No. 77 in the Ratings Percentage Index according to , looks to be an unlikely candidate for an at-large bid to the Big Dance.
Iowa State stretched its lead out to 10 in both the first and second halves, but the Buffs (18-12, 7-8 Big 12) scratched their way back into it thanks to Marcus Relphorde and Levi Knutson’s marksmanship and Alec Burks’ determination.
Relphorde finished with 21 points, Knutson had 16. Burks scored a game-high 24 but settled for jumpers often early.
Cyclone freshman Calvin Godfrey, who entered averaging 4.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game off the bench, was a dominant force. Godfrey had 23 points and 11 rebounds, four on offense.
Iowa State had myriad second-chance points, using a size and strength advantage provided by the 6-foot-8, 230-pound Godfrey and 6-11 senior center Jamie Vanderbeken. The Cyclones also leaned on their 3-point shooting, making 9-of-20 attempts from beyond the arc.
Andre Roberson broke Stephane Pelle’s CU freshman record, grabbing seven in the game to increase his season total to 221. Cory Higgins, who scored 15 points, also broke one of Pelle’s records, playing in his 124th game as a Buff, which passed Pelle and Will Smith.
