CU OPENS 2004-05 SEASON WITH WIN

Monday, November 15

Boulder, Colo.

7 p.m.

Colorado

College of Charleston

Colorado guard Marcus Hall, right, works

Photo by: Associated Press

November 15, 2004 | Men's Basketball

By: CUBuffs.com

BOULDER ? Freshman guard Richard Roby scored 12 of his game-high 19 points in the second half to lead three Colorado players in double figures as the Buffaloes defeated the College of Charleston, 72-57, to open the 2004-05 season in the first round of the Preseason NIT Monday night.

“It is a good win against a very quality opponent,” said CU head coach Ricardo Patton. “That team (C of C) is going to win a lot of games, especially in their league. I think they did a good job of running it down our throats, they kept the intensity up the whole game.”

With the win, the Buffs improve to 9-0 in season openers under Patton, who claimed his 100^th career win at the Coors Events Center. The Cougars have dropped their second season opener in a row, after winning 12 straight before last year.

Colorado led throughout the first half with their biggest margin reaching nine points with 3:37 to go; however, the Cougars trimmed their deficit to two points to narrow the margin to 35-33. Sophomore guard Marcus Hall then hit a three-pointer to push their lead back to five for a 38-33 halftime lead.

In the second stanza the Buffs upped their lead to 13 points at the 12:11 mark after consecutive baskets (Andy Osborn 3-pointer) and a Lamont Arrington dunk for a 54-41 advantage. C of C again rallied to cut the deficit to seven with 6:20 remaining, however CU outscored the Cougars by a 13-5 margin to end the game.

Colorado had 12 blocks compared to the Cougars two and out-rebounded the College of Charleston 48-46. Julius Ashby scored 13 points and Jayson Obazuaye added 10. Roby finished the night hitting 7-of -11 from the floor and grabbed eight rebounds in his debut. The Cougars' Josh Jackson had 12 points, while Robert Swain chipped in 10.

“Today we made some great steps as a team to get where we want to be,” said Obazuaye. “It excites me for the season and the games ahead especially the next one nationally televised (ESPN).”

Colorado will now travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. for the second round of the Preseason NIT to take on Michigan who defeated Binghamton 59-46 on Monday. The last time Colorado faced Michigan was on March 13, 1991 when the Buffaloes defeated the Wolverines, 71-64, in the Postseason NIT.