Buffs Make Epic Comeback in OT
CU men’s basketball goes into overtime against Montana State in the first game of the 2021-22 season.
On Tuesday, Oct. 9, the Buffaloes barely escaped the Bobcats overcoming a 13-point second-half deficit, and forcing overtime for the 94-90 comeback win.
“I’m really proud of our players and the fight that they showed,” said Head Coach Tad Boyle. “There’s a lot of things Colorado needs to get better at, and our guys understand that.”
The Buffs’ started out the gate strong, successfully hitting their first six field goals including four 3-pointers, giving them an early momentum of 20-13 in the opening nine minutes. From then, they unfortunately got sloppy with the ball. As MSU started to build into their lead, the Buffs’ faced costly turnovers and trouble with fouling in the paint as Senior Evan Battey played just six minutes before being pulled out after two early fouls. Freshman Lawson Lovering, also facing foul trouble, subbed in for Battey. MSU had the paint open and they ran from there.
MSU tied the game up 33-33, when RaeQuan Battle threw down a slam dunk giving them the upper hand, 35-33. The Buffs were able to briefly tie it up 35-35. As the clock was ticking down, Battle hit a buzzer-beater 3-pointer at the end of the first half, giving MSU a 38-35 advantage over the Buffs going into halftime.
As CU started the second half, their troubles from the first half continued. Battey proceeded to struggle with foul trouble, as he received an offensive foul just two minutes in the second half, forcing Boyle to put in Lovering. With the paint being open once again, the Bobcats took the edge starting an 11-1 run, as the Buffs crawled behind a 13-point lead, leaving Montana State up 51-38.
Eventually, the Buffs started knocking down some of their own buckets. The Buffaloes were able to cut the lead down to single digits over an eight-minute period.
They completed an 11-2 run, cutting MSU’s once 13-point lead down to one point with five minutes to play. Montana State hit a dagger 3-pointer, but the Buffs were in a full stampede as Colorado came back to take the lead.
With 4:25 left in the second, Battey hit a solid jumper in the paint, bringing the team to within two. Shortly after, Jabari Walker assisted Nique Clifford as he bolted down a slam dunk, tying the game up 73-73. With 2:52 to go, Eli Parquet hauled in an offensive rebound as he got fouled trying to put back, he was able to make both free throws, giving the Buffs’ the 75-73 lead. But
the Bobcats didn’t stop there, as they were able to make five straight points, going up by three, 78-75, then pushing their lead to five with just 53 seconds remaining in the half, 80-75.
Although the chances weren’t looking bright, the Buffs weren’t out for the count as Battey was fouled, making both free throws making it 80-77. With an assist through the paint from Walker, Parquet made the crucial tying 3-pointer and the Buff fans jumped from their seats. As MSU scrambled, calling a timeout with 10 seconds to go, they fumbled the ball underneath the basket sending it into overtime.
Evan Battey pushes CU lead with the and-1. (Alexa Sabatte/The Bold)
From then the Buffs didn’t look back, as Battey started off overtime with a nice floater sending it to 82-80. With a forced defensive turnover from Walker, they started a fast break., Keeshawn Barthelemy missed the layup, but Parquet was there to put it right back in, giving them an 85-80 lead with 2:30 to play. Colorado was able to push their lead to nine making it, 91-82, but MSU wasn’t done yet scoring five consecutive points back to them before Parquet went to the line making both free throws, 93-87. After another 3-pointer drained from Montana State, Parquet was fouled once more, making one free throw, solidifying the Buffs ultimate comeback win, 94-90.
“On defense we just had to lock in,” said Eli Parquet. “If we didn’t do that we weren’t going to win the game.”
The Buffs will move on to play New Mexico on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at the CU Events Center.
Excellent article Alexa! Let’s go buffs! 🖤💛