Buffs Edge Nebraska, 55-51

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - University of Colorado freshman guard Cory Higgins scored a team-high 13 points and Richard Roby added 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead Colorado to a 55-51 win over Nebraska Tuesday night. It was CU's ninth win of the season and it evened their conference mark at one.

Xavier Silas nearly recorded his first double-double scoring eight points and grabbing nine rebounds, while Marcus King-Stockton started his second straight game for the Buffs, tallied a career-high three steals with two blocks.

It was the lowest scoring game between these two schools in nearly 28 years since Nebraska won 53-44 on Jan. 19, 1980.

Colorado (9-7, 1-1 Big 12) ended it's two-game losing streak as the Buffaloes held the Cornhuskers to a season-low 51 points.

"It was not pretty offensively," said CU head coach Jeff Bzdelik."
Nebraska is a good defensive team; One of the best in the nations However, I thought our defense was better than it has been. Fortunately, we made some timely stops and made some key baskets. I am really proud of this team; they played hard, and fought and scrapped all game. They did a good job."

Cookie Miller led Nebraska (11-4, 0-2) with 18 points. Aleks Maric had 14 points and nine rebounds for the Cornhuskers who lost back-to-back games after winning six straight.

"That's the first time a team came in and looked us in the eye and kicked our butt," said Nebraska head coach Doc Sadler. "They just played harder than us. That same team beat up on us here last year too. I was disappointed because I thought they played harder than we did. We've got guys talking about altitude and they've (Colorado) got guys talking about winning?that's the problem."

The Buffaloes kept to their winning ways against Nebraska, winning their sixth of their last seven over their rivals.

Roby, who averaged 24 points a game against NU in three home games, recorded his eighth career double-double improving CU 7-1 when he performs that feat. Higgins led CU in scoring for the second straight game, also equaled his season-best six rebounds.

The game was tied at 34 on Ade Dagunduro's rebound basket for Nebraska with 12:23 left in the second half, but two driving layups by Marcus Hall put the Buffaloes up 38-34. Roby extended it to 41-34 with a 3-pointer before Nebraska closed the gap to 41-39 with a 5-0 run and a free throw by Paul Velander with 7:48 to play.

The Cornhuskers had only two free throws from Maric over the next five minutes and 13 seconds while Colorado got baskets from Higgins, Jermyl Jackson-Wilson and a free throw from Marcus King-Stockton to build a 48-41 advantage.

Miller ended the drought with a 3-pointer to get Nebraska within 49-44. The Cornhuskers were within 51-49 after Velander's 3-pointer with 59 seconds to play, but Roby closed the door with a layup with 29 seconds left.

Defenses dominated the first half. Colorado led 25-22 after shooting 32 percent from the field while the Cornhuskers were slightly better at 33 percent.

Roby converted a free throw and an off balance jump shot in the final 1:15 of the first half for the difference.

Colorado will take to the road to face Texas on Saturday, January 19 at 6 p.m. in a game that will be broadcast by ESPN Plus and Altitude Sports and Entertainment.