Freshman guard Alec Burks drives past the Huskers defense Wednesday. Burks led CU in scoring for the third game in a row with 21 points. The Buffs defeated rival Nebraska in the Coors Events Center 72-60. (CU Independent/Molly Maher)
The men’s basketball team avoided the familiar territory of the bottom of the Big 12 Conference.
The Colorado Buffaloes (11-9, 2-4 Big 12) beat Nebraska 72-60 Wednesday in front of 7,108 at the Coors Events Center to avoid occupying the Big 12 basement. The Buffs never trailed, breaking a three-game losing streak to Nebraska (12-8, 0-5) and a three-game losing streak overall.
“It was huge for us,” junior guard Cory Higgins said. “We wanted to get back in our own arena so we could gain some momentum.”
Freshman guard Alec Burks scored a game-high 21 points, shooting 5-of-10 from the floor and 9-of-13 from the foul line. Burks is the only true freshman in the country to score in double digits in every game this season.
“I think it shows a lot of progress from the start of the season to now,” Burks said. “I think we’re moving in the right direction to get more wins in the Big 12.”
Higgins helped with 11 points and six rebounds while sophomore guard Nate Tomlinson added 10 points, six rebounds and had a game-high five assists.
Nebraska freshman forward Christian Standhardinger led the Cornhuskers with 14 points and was the only Cornhusker in double figures. Nebraska’s leading scorer, senior guard Ryan Anderson, had nine points and six rebounds.
Although the Cornhuskers outrebounded Colorado 30-26, even that could not assist their cold offense, which shot 39.6 percent.
“Where we struggled was effort,” Nebraska head coach Doc Sadler said. “Colorado was the aggressor tonight.”
The Buffs scored the game’s first four points and built their lead to as much as 13 with 2:11 left in the first half thanks to a 10-2 run. Although Nebraska held Higgins to two first-half points, production from players such as Burks and junior forward Marcus Relphorde allowed the Buffs to maintain their lead.
In the second half, Higgins and Burks both scored nine points and the Buffs stretched their lead to as much as 20. Nebraska rallied to within 11 with 1:26 left, but freshman guard Ray Gallegos passed up an open 3-pointer and was called for traveling on his way to the basket.
CU knocked down 5-of-6 free throws to ice the game.
“We’re taking baby steps forward,” Colorado head coach Jeff Bzdelik said. “That’s a good thing. We just need to keep getting better.”
The Buffs now travel to Ames, Iowa to face the Iowa State Cyclones at 7 p.m. Saturday. CU looks to break a 32-game Big 12 road losing streak and a 24-game road losing streak to Division I opponents.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Mark McNeillie at Mark.mcneillie@colorado.edu.
