Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
8-5
Tulsa
10-3
Buffs Fall to Golden Hurricane 84-59
January 02, 2010 | Men's Basketball
TULSA, Okla. - The University of Colorado men's basketball team fell to the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 84-59, at the Donald W. Reynolds Center in Tulsa, Okla. Saturday afternoon.
After today's loss, Colorado extends their on-the-road losing streak to 21 games while holding an 8-5 record in non-conference play. The Buffs' last road win over a Division I opponent occurred Dec. 22, 2007 at Colorado State (73-70).
Tulsa improved its record to 10-3 this season and remains undefeated at home (10-0).
Colorado battled Tulsa through much of the first half until the Golden Hurricane went on a 10-0 run putting them up 24-14 with 5:21 left. Cory Higgins contributed a three-point play after being fouled in the paint and making his free throw to put the Buffs down by a mere seven points (24-17). A pair of good free-throws shots by Shane Harris-Tunks and a layup by Nate Tomlinson pulled the Buffs within four (25-21) with 3:30 left in the first half. The Golden Hurricane pulled ahead making the score 36-29 at the half.
The Buffalos struggled from the beginning shooting a season low 10-of-30 (.333) from the field in the first half. Despite being unsuccessful from the field, Colorado stayed aggressive committing a total of 15 fouls in just the first half and grabbed a season high eight offensive rebounds (19 total).
Colorado's improved shooting percentage in the second half cannot be blamed on the ball going through the hoop but on the decreased number of shots taken. The Buffs shot 10-of-24 (41.7%) from the field in the final 20 minutes. Seven-footer Jerome Jordan made shooting the ball a little more difficult for the Buffs, however head coach Jeff Bzdelik says the team "better learn quick" because they will be seeing guys this size every week during their Big 12 Conference matchups.
"We made some bad decisions with the ball when we drove, and we had some people open and knew the big fella [Jerome Jordan] was going to contest every shot," Bzdelik said. "They really wore on us as the game progressed."
Tulsa started the second half with a three-pointer from Justin Hurtt putting them up by 10 points (39-29) with 19:47 to go. Colorado's attempt to fight back was unsuccessful. Tulsa led the entire second half allowing the Buffaloes to come within 13 points only once with 12:15 left to play.
Hurtt led the Golden Hurricanes with 21 points while four other Tulsa players contributed a double digit scoring game, Joe Richard (10), Jerome Jordan (14), Ben Uzoh (13) and Steven Idlet (12).
Freshmen guard Alec Burks led CU in scoring with 17 points and pulled down a total of eight rebounds while contributing a season high three blocks. This marks the fifth time this season he has led the Buffs in scoring (twice shared) and rebounding (one shared). Burks has scored double digits in all 13 games played, seven of those totaling above 17 points. Burks' 211 points this season moves him into the 15th position on the all-time freshmen leading scorers list for Colorado.
Going into this afternoon's matchup, junior guard Cory Higgins was ranked third in scoring in the Big 12 while averaging 19.5 points per game. Tulsa held Higgins to 13 points. "Cory [Higgins] is going to be the focus with everybody we play against," said Bzdelik. "When you're the leading scorer on your team, you're going to be the focus."
Higgins remains in 23rd place with 1,051 career points. Junior forward Casey Crawford tied a season-best two, three-pointers for the third time this season.
Colorado leads Tulsa 4-3 in the series, however, the Golden Hurricanes have won the last two.
The Buffs return home Tuesday, Jan. 5 to take on the Miami University (Ohio). The game will be televised on FSN Rocky Mountain starting at 7 p.m.
