Colorado University Athletics
Colorado
18-12, 7-8
Iowa State
16-14, 3-12
Buffs Fall to Cyclones 95-90
March 02, 2011 | Men's Basketball
AMES, Iowa -- Freshman Calvin Godfrey scored a career-high 23 points and Iowa State beat Colorado 95-90 Wednesday night, damaging the Buffaloes' hopes for an NCAA tournament bid.
Marcus Relphorde buried a three-pointer to pull the Buffaloes within 83-81 with 2:03 left. But Jake Anderson answered with a three, and Alec Burks missed a scoop on the other end.
Godfrey later punctuated his career night with a raucous slam with 37 seconds left. Godfrey was near perfect for the night, going 10-of-11 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line. He also had a game-high 11 rebounds.
"I thought Calvin Godfrey was the difference in the game," said CU Head Coach Tad Boyle. "He did not play against us in Boulder and we knew he was good but I didn't know he was going to get 23 and 11 on us. We still scored 90 points and lost, so it comes down to defense and rebounding."
Burks scored 24 points and Relphorde had 21 to lead Colorado (18-12, 7-8). Levi Knutson added 16 off the bench. The Buffs shot 44.4 percent (32-of-72) for the game and made 12 three-pointers on 30 attempts (40.0 percent).
Andre Roberson had seven rebounds off the bench, giving him 221 for the season to surpass Stephane Pelle (218 rebounds in 1999-2000) as CU's all-time freshman rebounding leader. Pelle went on to become CU's all-time leading rebounder.
Cory Higgins also broke a previously Pelle-held CU record by playing in his 124th career game, becoming the Buffs all-time leader in games played. The previous mark of 123 was held by Pelle (1999-2003) and Will Smith (1996-2000).
Scott Christopherson added 17 for the Cyclones (16-14, 3-12 Big 12), who have won two straight after dropping 10 in a row. Jamie Vanderbeken notched a double-double with 15 points and ten boards. Iowa State shot 57.1 percent (36-of-63), in addition to going 9-of-20 (45.0 percent) from beyond the three-point arc.
"I knew what this game meant, our players knew what that meant, the coaching staff knew what it meant and the whole nation knew what it meant," said Boyle on the loss hurting CU's chances of securing an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.Â
This was the last scheduled Big 12 matchup between Iowa State and Colorado, with the Cyclones leading the all-time series 77-69.
The Buffs return home for their last scheduled meeting with Nebraska on Saturday. The Senior Night contest will tip at  7 p.m.
