CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Colorado Buffaloes promised they wouldn’t be caught looking ahead Thursday night against an Oregon State team that sported a winless mark in Pac-12 Conference play.
Yet for the first 20 minutes it was easy to wonder if the Buffs indeed were looking forward to Saturday’s battle at No. 7 Oregon. However, CU was able to put together a strong start to the second half followed by a gritty finish that allowed the Buffs to escape Gill Coliseum with a 60-52 victory.
It was the sixth win in seven games for CU.
The game was tied 52-52 with under two minutes remaining but Xavier Johnson and Derrick White combined to score the next eight points to seal the win.
A Johnson free throw broke the tie, and White gave the Buffs a three-point cushion on a short jumper with 1:16 left. A block by White gave the ball back to CU, and Johnson buried a clutch 3-pointer to give the Buffs a 58-52 lead with 31.9 seconds left.
White connected on 7 of 11 shots and led the Buffs with 20 points. Johnson hit both of his 3-point attempts and finished with 17 points.
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