MBB Defeated By Tulsa, 81-68
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Richard Roby scored a game-high 27 points and Xavier Silas added 13, however the Tulsa Golden Hurricane shot 63 percent in the second half pulling away for a 81-68 victory over Colorado Monday night in the final tuneup for both schools in non-conference play.
"The lack of depth hurt us," said CU head coach Jeff Bzdelik. "It is very difficult to go seven deep. We lost our legs and that affected our ability to score. We were getting good shots, we just weren't making them and we were a step slow on defense in the second half. We aren't about explanations or excuses so give Tulsa credit. They shot the ball well and in the second half they we were a step behind them in everything we did."
Tulsa reserve Glenn Andrews scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half and Ben Uzoh added 15.
The Golden Hurricane, who have now won six straight, picked up their first road win of the season. The team entered the game having dropped three in a row away from the Donald W. Reynolds Center.
Tulsa (8-4) trailed 52-49 with 14:20 remaining before going on a 16-2 run behind the hot shooting of Andrews, who accounted for 14 points during the spurt by hitting four 3-pointers and knocking down a mid-range jumper.
The Golden Hurricane built up the lead to as many as 15 points after trailing by seven in the first half. The team hit 9 of 10 free throws over the final 5:11 to secure the win.
Brett McDade had 12 points and Rod Earls and Bishop Wheatley each added nine.
Uzoh, the Golden Hurricane's leading scorer, was held to just a basket in the first half before finding his shot in the second half. He entered the game averaging 16.1 points.
Colorado (8-6) was led in scoring by Richard Roby, who finished with 27 points to move up to fifth place on the school's all-time scoring list, surpassing Emmett Lewis (1976-79).
Marcus Hall had 10 rebounds, nine assists and a career-high eight steals, but only four points. Xavier Silas finished with 13 points and Levi Knutson had 10.
Colorado sophomore guard Dwight Thorne missed his second straight game with a bruised right knee. He's averaging 3.9 points a game this season.
Tulsa prevented the Buffaloes from beating a second straight Conference USA foe. Colorado knocked off SMU 63-52 last Friday.
It was Tulsa's first visit to Boulder since a 79-72 loss to Colorado on Dec. 2, 1965.
Colorado will take to the road to face nationally ranked Texas A&M on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m in a game that will be broadcast on ESPN Plus and Altitude 2.