Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
UC Irvine
MBB Tops UC Irvine 96-80
December 17, 2005 | Men's Basketball
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Richard Roby scored 20 points and Martane Freeman added a career-high 17 as Colorado extended its winning streak to five games with a 96-80 victory over UC Irvine Saturday night.
Marcus Hall contributed 14 points and five assists. Colorado (6-1) has won all seven meetings between the two teams.
“It was a great win, especially under these circumstances," said CU head coach Ricardo Patton. "I know the guys have been pressed this week with exams and we haven't even practiced in our own gym. With all the distractions this week I am very proud that we continue to be a good basketball team. Any time you shoot that good there is a good chance of winning.”
The win spoiled the homecoming of Denver native Ross Schraeder, who had 26 points to lead UC Irvine (4-4). The Anteaters, who had an impressive road win at Stanford, hadn't played since Dec. 3. The rustiness showed.
Colorado withstood several Anteater runs in the second half, the first when Nic Campbell scored seven straight points to reduce the lead to 56-51. Dominique Coleman's jumper capped a 6-0 run for the Buffaloes to help them pull away.
A conventional three-point play by Darren Fells made it a five-point game again, only to see Freeman respond with a 3-pointer. A layup from Coleman helped Colorado put its lead back to 69-59.
UC Irvine made its final run at Colorado when baskets by Mark Kelley and Campbell (18 points) got them within 77-71 with 6:25 left. Roby nailed a 3-pointer and Freeman converted two free throws, and the Buffaloes' lead was never under nine points over the final 5:36.
Schraeder kept UC Irvine close for most of the first half by hitting three, 3-pointers and scoring 17 points. His 3-pointer and short jumper got the Anteaters to within 37-33 with 3:46.
Colorado, which had eight players and was 6-for-13 on 3-pointers, regrouped for the remainder of the half. The Buffaloes closed the period with a 3-pointer from Freeman and Hall's driving layup at the buzzer to take a 47-36 lead into the break.
The Buffaloes were 20-of-24 from the free throw line, also made 10 3-pointers for the game and placed six players with 10 or more points. The CU bench recorded their most points of the season pouring in a season-best 34 points.
CU travels to TCU to take on the Horned Frogs, Tuesday, Dec. 20.
