Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
1-0
Arkansas-Pine Bluff
0-1
Higgins Leads Buffs to Victory in Opener
November 14, 2009 | Men's Basketball
The Buffs were coached by associate head coach Steve McClain as head coach Jeff Bzdelik tended to a family emergency on the east coast.
"We were prepared all week, it wasn't like today I said let's change things," said McClain on filling in for Bzdelik. "Our players handled it well. I told Cory (Higgins) before the game that I am going to coach to my personality and they see that every day in practice. "
Higgins tied a CU record for most free throw attempts without a miss in a game, matching the marks set by Chauncey Billups on February 17, 1996 against Oklahoma and Jo Jo Hunter versus Iowa State on January 20, 1980.
Freshman Alec Burks started his first game of his collegiate career with 13 points along with three assists. Sophomore Nate Tomlinson came off the bench to lead the Buffs with seven assists and six rebounds. Both tied career-highs.
Casey Crawford, Austin Dufault, and Dwight Thorne II each had 10 points, giving CU five scorers in double digits. This is the first time that CU has had five players score in double digits since last season (Jan. 5, 2009 at SMU).
Colorado went on an 11-0 run over a three-minute span in the first half to break the game open. Included in this run was a ferocious dunk by Higgins who was fouled and then made his first free throw of the night.
CU closed out the first half on a 17-6 run over the final 5:02 to take a 43-22 halftime lead. Tomlinson and Burks each scored five points.
Terrance Calvin led Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 21 points and Tyree Glass added 13 for the Golden Lions.
The Buffs wore silver uniforms tonight for the first time in 18 years (1990-91).
Colorado continues their homestand next week, hosting Coppin State on Monday, Nov. 16 and Texas Southern on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Both games will be at the Coors Events Center (7 p.m.) and televised by FSN Rocky Mountain.
