LAS VEGAS — Sometimes the Colorado Buffaloes just have to get Derrick White the ball and get the heck out of the way.
After a listless first half, White sparked a dominant second-half run by the Buffs Wednesday night against Washington State, turning a 14-point halftime deficit into a 73-63 win in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament at Las Vegas’ new T-Mobile Arena.
The win marked the sixth time in six seasons in the Pac-12 the Buffs have won their first game of the league tournament. It sets up a second-round date against second-seeded Arizona Thursday night at 7 p.m. MST.
White scored 10 points in a 15-4 CU run to open the second half that abruptly put the Buffs back in the game. The senior guard finished with 26 points, five rebounds, five assists, and no turnovers in 38 minutes. Senior Xavier Johnson was also key in the Buffs’ second-half charge, scoring 12 of his 19 points after the break. Johnson also grabbed six rebounds.
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