(CU Independent graphic/Adam Milner)
While the Buffs have become a force in the Big 12 this season, they do not have bragging rights against one of their biggest rivals.
Colorado (14-5, 3-1 Big 12) lost to the Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-4, 2-2 Big 12) 79-67 Tuesday night at the Devaney Sports Center.
The loss marked Colorado’s first conference loss of the season and an end to their seven-game winning streak.
CU kept up with the Cornhuskers early in the game, but frustrations over a very physical second-half Nebraska defense made a fourth Big 12 win elusive.
While CU trailed Nebraska by only one point at halftime, the gap slowly widened throughout the second half. The Cornhuskers opened their lead to 13 with about 10 minutes to go, and increased it to as much as 16 before the Buffs could score.
Head Coach Tad Boyle, who was named National Coach of the Week today by The Hoops Report, voiced some frustration from the sideline as the clock wound down. As the Cornhuskers played an aggressive game, Boyle watched his Buffs lose their momentum and gradually fall behind.
Much of CU’s scoring came from outside the three-point line, especially from senior guard Levi Knutson. The Buffs’ weakness inside the paint proved to be an issue. Shooting 12-of-30 on three-pointers, Colorado’s field goal percentage inside the three-point line was only 44.4% compared to Nebraska’s 56.6%.
Sophomore guard Alec Burks led Colorado in scoring with 22 points. Knutson was close behind him with 17 points, all but two of them from three-pointers.
Burks and Knutson, who have been standout scorers for the Buffs in recent games, were the only two CU players in double figures, while the Cornhuskers had four players scoring 10 or more.
The game marked the final time the Buffs will play in Lincoln in the Big 12, as CU and Nebraska head to separate conferences next year – CU to the PAC 10 and Nebraska to the Big Ten.
The Buffs travel to Oklahoma this Saturday, hoping to regain their momentum against another Big 12 conference opponent.
Contact CU Independent staff writer Caryn Maconi at Caryn.maconi@colorado.edu.
