Buffs beat the Utes in final minutes of the game
Jabari Walker heats up against Utah, obtaining his third consecutive double-double and buckets when the Buffs needed it most.
The CU Buffs and the Utah Utes went down to the final seconds on Saturday and the Buffs prevailed winning 81-76.
What a comeback. What a win. What a CROWD! ⚡️🦬@CUBuffsMBB finishes strong and comes out on top tonight over the Utah Utes, pulling out a 81 - 76 victory. @jabari521 earns his third-consecutive double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Buffs. pic.twitter.com/0L657D6YFZ
— Sko Buffs Sports (@SBS_CU) February 13, 2022
“Hard fought win for us, it wasn’t easy,” Head coach Tad Boyle said in the postgame press conference. “They’re [Utah] better than their record indicates, they have not lost their fight, they’re well coached, they got good players and we found a way to win tonight.”
The Buffs tried to find their footing at the beginning as 7 foot Branden Carlson started draining shots. Carlson continued the shooting accuracy in the first half, leading the team with 21 points.
“We gave him too many easy looks.” Boyle said. “The ‘pick and pop’, were taking that part out of the equation, that was the game plan..We had too many defensive breakdowns in the first half…Carlson’s a good player.”
Nique Clifford got the first shot off with a 3-pointer and stayed a crucial asset with a total seven points. Keeshawn Barthelemy had seven points and Evan Battey had 10 keeping the Buffs just behind the Utes 36-33.
Colorado had difficulties guarding Carlson and limiting turnovers as the Buffs are second in the Pac-12 with the most turnovers. They had nine at the end of the first.
In the second half, Utah came out hot as Gabe Madsen hit three consecutive 3-pointers. However, Jabari Walker, later, came out even hotter.
The fouls turned quickly on the Utes as the Buffs were able to score 24 out of 29 free throws.
With one of the many fouls, Walker headed to the line to obtain CU’s first lead 66-65, from there he made three layups and both of his following free throws making it 75-69 Buffs.
“I try to work on my free throws after practice while I’m tired,” Walker said. “I try to shoot at least 21 or 25 before I leave practice and it has paid off really.”
Utah stayed close behind with a layup by Anthony Marco making it 76-73, Buffs with the lead.
With just seconds left in the game Tristan Da Silva made both of his free throws as well as Barthelemy. Barthelemy sealed the deal with a fast steal.
“It was a big time win for us, just getting another win in the standings and getting good momentum going on the road,” Battey said. The Buffs head to Corvallis to play Oregon State on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 7:00 p.m.
