Colorado University Athletics
CU-IOWA STATE RENEW RIVALRY TONIGHT AT COORS
Coming off a disappointing defensive
performance Sunday, Colorado faces an Iowa State team it defeated
two weeks ago as the Big 12 rivals conclude their season series
Wednesday.
Tickets are still available for
Wednesday's match-up including Chip's Court. For just $5, get a
general admission ticket and a coupon for a hotdog and a Pepsi.
Purchase your ticket in advance at TicketsWest outlets in all
King Soopers or by calling 303-49-BUFFS. Wednesday's
game will also feature live video an audio on Buffs Backstage Pass
on CUBuffs.com.
The 12th-ranked Buffaloes (18-3, 7-2) were allowing opponents to score 62.3 points per game heading into their road matchup with No. 9 Kansas State on Sunday, but they allowed their third-most points this season in a 79-53 defeat.
The loss snapped Colorado's six-game winning streak, as Kansas State shot 59 percent during a dominant first half to take a 49-32 lead at the break. At one point in the period, the Wildcats made four straight 3-pointers.
"I think that segment right there shows how horrible our defense was,'' Colorado center Tera Bjorklund said. "They were coming off one screen, shooting a 3 and drilling it.''
With the loss, Colorado fell into third place in the conference, 1 1/2 games behind No. 1 Texas. CU will host the top-ranked Longhorns Saturday night in Boulder.
The Buffaloes now return to Boulder to face the Cyclones, whom they smothered on the defensive end in a 62-51 win at Ames on Jan. 25.
Colorado held Iowa State (10-10, 3-6) to 17 first-half points and forced 21 turnovers to win its third straight in the series.
"We told our kids before that game that we had to play a physical offensive game,'' Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. "Be strong to the basket, be strong to get open, be strong attacking. We really didn't do that. You have to credit Colorado for that, the way they defended.''
Iowa State has struggled offensively in its last two games, falling 61-47 to Kansas State and 81-62 to Missouri. The Cyclones have lost four of their last five.
Colorado leads 34-16 in the series with Iowa State, including 16-5 in Boulder.