Turnovers, Defense Plague Buffs In Setback At Grambling State

GRAMBLING, La. – Colorado found itself in an early hole and it was too much to climb out of as the Buffaloes dropped an 83-74 decision to Grambling State Friday at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Center.

Colorado, which never led, fell behind by as much as 19 mid-way through the first half. While the Buffaloes were able to close the gap to single digits at a couple points in the second half, they never got closer than seven.

Colorado turned the ball over 19 times and struggled on the defensive end, allowing Grambling State to shoot 50 percent for the game.

KJ Simpson led Colorado with 16 points, but only hit 5 of 16 from the field. Nique Clifford tied a career-high with 15 points along with six rebounds and three steals.
Shawndarius Cowart had a game-high 19 points and six assists for the Tigers. Cameron Christon had 17 points, hitting 9 of 11 free throws.
 
"We played like we expected them to roll over and bow down to us," Colorado head coach Tad Boyle said. "I don't know what our guys were thinking in that regard, but we weren't good on either side of the ball tonight. We give up 50 percent field goal percentage defense and then we turn the ball over 19 times. I don't care who you're playing, you're not beating anybody."

Fourteen of those 19 turnovers came from perimeter players. The Tigers enjoyed a 12-point advantage in points off turnovers in the first half alone (14-2).  
Grambling State shot exactly 50 percent from the field (26-52) and 41.2 percent from downtown (7-17). Every time the Buffaloes made a mini-run, the Tigers answered.

"Grambling was the more aggressive team, they played like they wanted to win this game more than we did," Boyle said.