BUFFS BEAT TENNESSEE STATE, 71-44

Friday, December 19

Boulder, Colo.

7:00 p.m.

Colorado

Tennessee State

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

December 19, 2003 | Men's Basketball

By: Jody Woodman, Student Assistant SID

BOULDER, Colo. ? Michel Morandais scored 17 points and David Harrison and Blair Wilson each chipped in 14 as Colorado won its fifth consecutive game with a 71-44 victory over Tennessee State.

In what was a slow and at times lackluster performance, the Buffs (6-1) never trailed, although they let the Tigers (1-8) get within 10 points with 8:38 remaining in the game. However, the Colorado defense would tighten up, not allowing the Tigers another field goal in the game.

“You have to give Tennessee State credit,” head coach Ricardo Patton said. “They kept battling. When you get up on teams from a coaching standpoint, you try to get guys who normally do not play some playing time. At one point I had a lineup on the floor that didn't score well against the zone and I think that might have hurt us a bit. Their team was very well coached and when they started banking those long threes, they got back in the game.”

The Tigers got nearly all of their points from freshman guard Bruce Price who led all scorers with 29 points. Price also cashed in for six treys.

The Buffs, who returned to competition for the first time in eight days following the final exam break, won their 15^th consecutive game at the Coors Events Center ? a best for this arena, and fifth longest streak overall, dating back to the playing days at the Balch Fieldhouse.

Colorado doubled up the Tigers in the first half, outscoring them 36-18 by the break. It was the lowest opponent total for a first half in school history.

Colorado shot a dismal 30.8 percent from the line in the first half, but rebounded to shoot 6-of-10 in the second, pushing their game average up to 43.5 percent.

Lamar Harris tied a career high with 11 rebounds and Antoine McGee and Morandais each dished out six assists.

The win catapults Colorado to their best start since the 1989 season, when the Buffs went 6-0 before dropping a game to Hawaii. However, this year's 6-1 mark is the best in the Patton era.