Colorado Buffaloes Triumph Over Arizona State Sun Devils
In a hard-fought matchup on Saturday evening, the Colorado Buffaloes secured a 78-70 win against the Arizona State Sun Devils, marking a successful season sweep against their opponents. Barrington Hargress highlighted the game for Colorado with an impressive 23-point performance, hitting 10 of his 15 attempts from the field and contributing a crucial three-pointer.
Key Performers
The Buffaloes, now holding a record of 14 wins and 10 losses, with 4 victories in the Big 12 Conference, saw a significant contribution off the bench from sophomore Sebastian Rancik. Standing at 6 feet 11 inches, Rancik recorded a personal best double-double, with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Isaiah Johnson also played a key role, adding 16 points to the scoreboard, while Bangot Dak chipped in with 10 points. The Sun Devils, with a record of 12-12 and 3-8 in conference play, were led by Moe Odum, who tallied 23 points and five assists. Massamba Diop contributed strongly as well, scoring 19 points with 7 rebounds, and Anthony “Pig” Johnson provided a spark off the bench with 14 points.
Game Highlights
During the game, Colorado built an early lead, thanks to Rancik’s timely three-pointer and Dak’s athletic dunk, pushing their advantage to 26-16. Despite faltering in the final minutes of the first half and allowing Arizona State to inch closer, the Buffaloes managed to maintain a slim lead at halftime, 39-31. A review by officials during the break awarded the Sun Devils a flagrant-1 foul on Colorado’s Elijah Malone due to a foul on Odum, allowing Arizona State to begin the second half with a couple of free throws and control of the ball.
Arizona State capitalized on this momentum, as Allen Mukeba started the half with a three-point play followed by a jumper from Odum, shifting the lead in favor of the Sun Devils at 42-41. However, Colorado regained control and extended their lead to 64-56 following a Rancik layup with under nine minutes remaining. Although Diop brought Arizona State back within striking distance with two dunks, Dak and Rancik ensured the Buffaloes remained in front through the final moments of the game.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Arizona State is set to face Oklahoma State at home on Tuesday, while Colorado will travel to challenge the No. 13 ranked Texas Tech on Wednesday. Stay updated on the latest in college basketball by signing up for AP poll alerts and updates.
