SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Wichita State went on a 7-0 run late in the first half to take a 31-24 lead against Colorado on Thursday night and the Shockers rode it to a 67-58 victory in the first round of the fifth annual Puerto Rico Tip-off.
The Buffs cut the Shockers lead to 50-47 midway through the second half after Austin Dufault made a 3-pointer.
Trailing 62-57 with 2:13 left in the game, the Buffs didn’t score again as the Shockers put away the game.
“I thought tonight’s game was one we let slip away,” Buffs coach Tad Boyle said. “I give WSU the credit because they are good, but I do think it was one that we let slip away.”
Colorado senior guard Carlon Brown scored a team-high 15 points and had four rebounds, and sophomore Andre Roberson had 10 rebounds and four points. Swingman Roberson had 15 rebounds.
CU freshman walk-on Beau Webb and freshman Askia Booker made their first collegiate starts. The Buffs were 21-of-49 from the field (5-of-11 from 3-point range) and were outrebounded 38-28. Colorado was just 11-of-19 from the free-throw line.
“We tell our guys all the time in practice, the importance of the box out, and I believe that was critical in this game,” Boyle said. “One of the strengths of our team last year was going to the free throw line 28 to 30 times a game.”
The Buffs (1-1) will play today against Maryland at 4:30 p.m.
Denver 59, Southern Mississippi 52
Chris Udofia had 21 points and two key plays to lead the Pioneers (3-0) to a win over the Golden Eagles (1-1).
DU led 32-22 at halftime, but the Eagles had cut the deficit to 48-45 with 3:05 left. Udofia drained a 3-pointer, then, after a USM jumper, converted a layup to give Denver a 53-47 lead with 1:54 remaining.
WOMEN
Colorado State 87, Tulsa 68
FORT COLLINS — Preseason Mountain West player of the year Kim Mestdagh led three Rams in double figures with 35 points as CSU (1-2) rolled at home.
Meghan Heimstra had a double-double for the Rams (12 points, 13 rebounds).
Denver 54, Air Force 52
AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Katelyn Murdoch had 19 points and nine rebounds, and Quincey Noonan added 14 points and four steals as the Pioneers (3-0) edged the Falcons (1-2) in a game in which neither team shot better than 36 percent and each team committed more than 20 turnovers.
Dymond James led Air Force with 14 points.
Wyoming 69, Chadron St. 61
LARAMIE — Chaundra Sewell had 30 points and 10 rebounds for the Cowgirls (1-2), who held off the Eagles.
Ashley Sickles chipped in 13 points and six rebounds for Wyoming. Post staff and wire services
