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BOULDER – A win is a win?
The Colorado Buffaloes welcome the Nicholls Colonels into the Coors Events Center on Friday night and let the Colonels hang in much longer than anybody expected.
Nicholls, who ranked near the bottom of a plethora of D-1 rankings coming into the game, actually took a five-point lead into the half and led by as many as 10 in the first half.
“I’m not too pleased,” Boyle told the media following the game. “Our first half was pathetic in a lot of different ways.”
But, as we have become accustomed to from this team, the Buffaloes came out of the half with a vengeance, going on a 20-6 run in the early minutes and eventually outscoring the Colonels 52-30 in the final period on their way to an 85-68 victory.
Josh Scott led the way for Colorado with 20 points to go with six rebounds and Josh Fortune added in 17 of his own, but it was Wesley Gordon who earned praise from Tad Boyle.
Gordon had just five points and seven rebounds but his seven blocks and defensive efforts made the difference for the Buffs.
“Wesley Gordon was the player of the game tonight,” Boyle said. ” We couldn’t take him off the floor in the second half… I thought Wesley was terrific.”
It wasn’t an ideal showing, but in the end, it was a 17-point win for the Buffaloes and extended their win-streak to nine games.
The Buffs face a quick turnaround, as they face the Hampton Pirates tomorrow night.
“Coach wasn’t very happy,” Thomas Akyazili said. “I think we can go make up for that tomorrow.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Wesley Gordon
The junior forward turned it on in the second half, bringing the “we will not lose to Nicholls” mentality that, frankly, the rest of the team did not have.
Gordon’s seven blocks tied a career high and changed the game in the favor of the Buffaloes.
QUOTE OF THE GAME
Tad Boyle said after the game that the players who didn’t bring it on defense would be getting a call early tomorrow morning to come in and watch film. He wanted to make it clear Wes would not be getting that call.
Boyle: Wes will not be getting a call, he can sleep in, go to breakfast, whatever he wants.
— RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) December 19, 2015
BY THE NUMBERS
9 – Colorado’s current win-streak.
9 – Colorado’s consecutive games with 80 or more points.
11 – Colorado made their final eleven shots of the game, including five threes.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Buffs welcome in the Pirates of Hampton Univesity tomorrow night.