Colorado
11-7,3-4Pac-12
USC
12-5,4-2Pac-12
Buffaloes Fall At USC
January 12, 2023 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
LOS ANGELES — Colorado couldn't overcome a season-high 22 turnovers Thursday and the Buffaloes dropped a 68-61 decision to Southern California at the Galen Center.
Tad Boyle's Buffs fell to 11-7 overall and 3-4 in Pac-12 play while the Trojans improved to 12-5, 4-2.
Colorado trailed by 12 early but cut the deficit to two at intermission, then took a four-point lead early in the second half. But CU's turnovers continued to inflict a toll as the Trojans reeled off a 10-0 run to regain the lead and Colorado could never completely overcome the deficit again.
CU sophomore center Lawson Lovering recorded the first double-double of his career with 13 points and 14 rebounds, both career highs. KJ Simpson finished with 17 points, Tristan da Silva added 13 and Javon Ruffin chipped in 12.
Drew Peterson led USC with 15 points.
Along with committing 22 turnovers, the Buffs also had nine of their shots blocked. CU did have a commanding 44-29 edge on the boards and the Buffs held USC to 43 percent shooting (26-for-61).
But Colorado shot just 41 percent from the floor, including 5-for-17 from beyond the arc. Combined with the 22 turnovers that led to 20 USC points, the Buffs didn't have enough down the stretch to steal a win and their three-game win streak on the Trojans' home floor came to an end.
"When you get nine shots blocked and you turn it over 22 times you're not going to beat anybody, I don't care who you're playing," Boyle said. "Tip our hat to our guys. They competed their tails off. They really did, to have a four-point lead the second half and play that badly on offense. It says something about our grit and toughness, but we're just not playing very smart."
HOW IT HAPPENED: After falling behind by 12 early, the Buffaloes battled back to make it a two-point game at the half, 34-32.
CU used an 8-2 run to pull within 18-16 midway through the half, getting six points from Ruffin in the surge. The Trojans then pushed their cushion back to seven, but the Buffaloes fought back again, finally tying the score at 32-32 with under a minute to play.
Lovering had a big role in Colorado's comeback. He finished the first half with nine points and nine rebounds, including three points, an offensive rebound and an assist in the final four minutes.
"We had some great individual performances," Boyle said. "Lawson Lovering really grew up before eyes tonight. He had a terrific game."
After the Buffs tied the game at 32-32 on a da Silva bucket, USC regained the lead on a Joshua Morgan dunk with two seconds on the clock. Ruffin then drained a 3-pointer from behind the halfcourt line at the buzzer, but replay showed the shot came a split second too late and Colorado trailed at intermission 34-32.
Colorado then threatened to shift the game's momentum with a quick 8-2 run out of the gate to open the second half. Lovering, J'Vonne Hadley, da Silva and Simpson all scored in the run and Colorado had a 40-36 edge four minutes into the period.
But the Buffs barely had time to enjoy the lead. The Trojans quickly regained control with a 10-0 run, thanks in part to three Buffs turnovers, and with 11:48 to play, the Trojans held a 50-42 edge.
"When you have 22 turnovers and get nine shots blocked, that's 31 completely empty possessions," Boyle said. "It's tough to beat anybody with those numbers, and give USC credit, they made their free throws down the stretch."
But despite their woes, the Buffaloes did give themselves a chance to steal a win down the stretch. Ruffin hit his third 3-pointer of the game to cut CU's deficit to five with just under 11 minutes to play and Colorado stayed within striking range for the rest of the game.
In the end, however, the Buffs could never completely recover from their self-inflicted wounds. CU's 19th turnover of the game helped USC to a 55-49 lead with 6:49 to play and with just under four to play, Colorado's deficit was still at six, 60-54.
The Buffs did manage to pull within one with just two minutes remaining when a Simpson layup cut USC's lead to 60-59.
But two more Colorado turnovers in the final 1:16 helped USC push its cushion back to five and the Trojans hit their free throws in the final seconds to hand CU the loss.
TURNING POINT: Colorado threatened to take control early in the second half with an 8-2 run that produced a 40-36 lead. But the Trojans responded with a 10-0 run to regain the lead and the Buffs never led again.
WHAT IT MEANS: Colorado let a golden opportunity for a big road win literally slip through their fingers. A victory would have given CU an important Quad 1 win in the NET rankings, but now the Buffs will need to upset No. 7 UCLA on Saturday to earn a road trip split.
KEY STATISTICS: CU committed 22 turnovers that led to 20 USC points … The Buffs also had nine of their shots blocked … Colorado held a 44-29 edge on the boards but shot just 5-for-17 from 3-point range.
NEXT UP: The Buffs wrap up their Los Angeles road trip Saturday with a 6 p.m. game at No. 7 UCLA (Fox). Colorado then returns home for a pair at the CU Events Center, beginning with a 7 p.m. game Thursday against Washington, followed by a 4 p.m. matchup Jan. 22 (Sunday) against Washington State.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
