CORVALLIS – The Colorado Buffaloes dropped to 17-7 Saturday night, losing 60-56 at Oregon State. The Buffs offense was plagued by turnovers as they caught a disease for the second straight game on the Oregon Trail.

CU turned over the ball 24 times and the Beavers capitalized scoring 21 points off those giveaways. While Colorado’s three leading scorers combined for four points. Some of the lack of scoring was due to big man Josh Scott’s first-half injury, which limited him to 16 minutes. Key wing Geroge King also went 0-6 from the field, missing a couple big free throws down-the-stretch and only scored one point the entire game.

The juxtaposition in guard play was astounding as Xavier Talton and Dominique Collier combined for 13 turnovers while the Beavers only had 12 as a team. OSU’s star, Gary Payton II played 37 minutes, only turning the ball over once. He had four dimes, six boards and 17 points on the night as he continues to solidify his case for First-Team Pac-12.

The Buffs out-rebounded the opposition 47-29 in Oregon but for every positive there was a negative as CU only shot 17 free throws tonight.

“Another big key in this game was the free throw discrepancy,” Boyle said. “We average 25 free throw attempts a game, they got there 27 times, we only got there 17 times. I think if that (we get to the free throw line) ven more we win this game.”

Another free throw thing they struggled with tonight is free throw box outs.

“There are two Achilles heels to this team,” Boyle told. “Number one is turnovers we talked about it all year long, the other is free throw box outs. Free throw box outs cost us the game.”

Scott, who left the game early is said to of had a left ankle sprain and Boyle said he would be back soon.

HIGHLIGHTS

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Tre’shaun Fletcher

Fletch shot 6-of-9, scoring 15 points, and grabbing six rebounds. He was the only one that really got going offensively for CU and he had some really nice finishes around the basket.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

Boyle: If you don't take care of your problems Mark, your opponents will.

— Jake Shapiro, but festive 🎁 (@Shapalicious) February 7, 2016

BY THE NUMBERS

1:3 – CU had a one assist to three turnover ratio Saturday

11 – The number of lead changes tonight.

18 – The Buffs were plus-18 on the boards at Oregon State

WHAT’S NEXT

The now fifth place Buffs will have the Washington schools coming into Boulder next week on Thursday and Saturday.