Offensive struggles lead to fourth straight loss
The Colorado Buffaloes, still looking to get a win before the regular season comes to a close, are now counting on Saturday’s game against the Iowa State Cyclones.
After losing to Baylor Wednesday, the Buffs are on a four-game losing streak heading into their last home game.
“The most important thing is the next game coming up,” senior forward Richard Roby said.
The Buffs (10-17, 2-11) lost to Baylor (19-8, 7-6) by a score of 68-57 in Boulder.
First-year head coach Jeff Bzdelik said he was pleased with the Buffs’ performance on defense, and they just needed to score a little bit more.
“Defensively, we did a really good job against a team that leads the league in scoring,” Bzdelik said.
Bzdelik said the Achilles heel of the Buffs all year has been not having enough offensive firepower.
“Games are really hard when you can’t make enough shots,” Bzdelik said.
The Buffs’ two leading scorers, Roby and senior guard Marcus Hall, shot a combined 9 for 29 from the field against the Bears.
Roby led the team with 17 points.
Along with 10 points of his own, Hall filled up the rest of the stat sheet for the Buffs with seven assists, three rebounds, three blocks and one steal.
Bzdelik said the Buffs did not get the scoring production they are used to getting from Hall, but he made up for his shooting woes with effort.
“That’s a winner right there,” Bzdelik said. “Anybody who knows anything about basketball knows he has a big heart.”
Freshman shooting specialist Levi Knutson contributed 11 points to the Buff cause Wednesday, continuing his recent trend of increased involvement in the offense.
Knutson said he has responded to his coaches and teammates’ confidence in him and is adjusting to his increased playing time.
“I feel comfortable out there,” Knutson said. “I love it out there. I love being on the floor with my teammates and competing.”
After the Buffs’ loss to Baylor, Bzdelik said the team would begin preparing the next day for Iowa State and would be ready to face the Cyclones on Saturday.
“Our back might be broken but our spirit isn’t,” Bzdelik said. “I’m proud of their effort. I’m really proud to be coaching this team and these young men.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Brad Cochi at Bradley.Cochi@cucampuspress.com.
