After losing four of its first six games this season, Tulsa had won five consecutive ball games. Make it six after blistering the nets in Boulder to beat the Buffs.
While CU shot miserably in the final 20 minutes, Tulsa was expert. Tulsa shot 60 percent for the game — 63 percent in the second half — and was nine of 14 from beyond the arc.
Colorado head coach Jeff Bzdelik has settled on a short bench of late, especially since backup guard Dwight Thorne has missed the past two games with a leg injury. Seven players saw action vs. Tulsa, but logging lots of minutes may have caught up with the group.
“Our lack of depth really hurts us,” Bzdelik admitted on AM760 radio afterward. “I think we lose our legs and we become slow, heavy legged. We couldn’t contain the ball and they shot it really well. Give them credit.”
One Buff who found his own range on offense was senior Richard Roby, who led all scorers with 27 points. (He moved into fifth place all-time on CU’s career scoring list with the effort).
Three Tulsa players scored in double figures, led by Glen Andrews, who had 17 points. Andrews went off with four treys in the game, too.
Marcus Hall struggled from the field, shooting just two of 13. But the senior point guard was effective in other ways, dishing six assists, grabbing eight steals and pulling down 10 boards.
“Give Tulsa credit,” Bzdelik said. “We’re not about excuses. They beat us.”
The Buffs, who fell to 8-6 in the loss, must regroup quickly as they open Big 12 play on the road against a good Texas A&M team Saturday (2 p.m.). The Aggies are currently ranked in the top 10 in the country, and a near perfect 14-1 record.
Statistical Leaders
Colorado
Points: Richard Roby 27
Rebounds: Marcus Hall 10
Assists: Hall 9
Turnovers: Roby 6
Blocks: two with 1
Steals: Hall 8
Tulsa
Points: Glen Andrews 17
Rebounds: Calvin Walls 8
Assists: Brett McDade
Turnovers: Rod Earls, McDade 5
Blocks: Jerome Jordan 2
Steals: Bishop Wheatley 2
Notes
Dwight Thorne sat his second consecutive game with a bruised bone in his leg. He will practice lightly Wednesday, but is still questionable for the Big 12 opener in the point guard’s home state.