Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
UNC Wilmington
MBB Opens 2005-2006 Season with Win
November 18, 2005 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Chris Copeland's 20 points led Colorado past North Carolina-Wilmington 73-54 Friday night, the Seahawks' first loss after three impressive wins in the Black Coaches Association Tournament.
Buffs coach Ricardo Patton, who has a .547 winning percentage and a .439 Big 12 mark in his decade in Boulder, improved to 10-0 in season openers.
Richard Roby, who led the Buffs with a 16-point average as a freshman last season, added 14 points, Jayson Obazuaye had 12 and Andy Osborn finished with 10. T.J. Carter's 12 points led the Seahawks (3-1).
With 6-9 post player Julius Ashby academically ineligible until the second semester, the Buffs turned to forwards Copeland, a junior, and Osborn, one of Colorado's nation-high 10 seniors on the roster, to control the paint and keep Wilmington from going 4-0 on its trip through the Rockies.
Copeland scored 10 first-half points - he had the only successful 3-pointer in nine tries by Colorado - and Osborn, who finished with eight boards, had eight points by halftime as the Buffs inched ahead 29-23.
The Seahawks, of the Colonial Athletic Association, have averaged better than 19 wins each of their three seasons under coach Brad Brownell. They were fresh off capturing the championship of the Black Coaches Association Tournament in Laramie, Wyo., with wins over Butler, Wyoming and Northwestern.
But instead of being in rhythm, they were tired. Both teams started out slowly with Wilmington shooting 39 percent (10-of-26) in the first half and Colorado 38 percent (11-of-29).
The Seahawks were within six at 38-32 when the Buffaloes, led by Copeland's five points, used an 18-2 run to take control. Antoine McGee's three-point play with 11:12 remaining made it 56-34.
Back-to-back baskets by Roby and Copeland's three-point play made it 68-44 with 3:46 left.
The Buffaloes visit Colorado State on Monday night at 8 p.m. where they will go after their sixth straight win over the rival Rams.
