Final
It wasn’t easy, but the Buffs somehow found a way to pull out a win on the road against No. 19 Oregon. The Buffs didn’t lead until there was less than 30 seconds left in the game when CU took the lead for good 48-47.
With eight seconds left the Ducks had a chance to win but E.J. Singler’s shot was blocked by Dinwiddie who finished with eight points after not scoring in the first half.
This game was vitally important to the Buffs who are now 5-5 in Pac-12 play. After losing to Utah last week the Buffs can’t afford to lose many more if they expect to make the postseason.
This is the Buffs second win against a ranked opponent this season, the first coming against then No. 18 Baylor. The Ducks have now lost three in a row and lost their first home game in their last 21 tries.
Andre Roberson, who leads the nation in rebounding, led the Buffs in both points and rebounding with 10 and 13. Singler and Emory both had 14 for the Ducks.
It was the Buffs first win at Oregon since 1955. The Buffs 15-7 overall record matches their record from a year ago when they won the Pac-12 tournament and beat UNLV in the NCAA tournament.
The Buffs stay in Oregon and play Oregon State Sunday at 7 p.m. Oregon State is in last place in the Pac-12 and has won only one in conference game this year. It should be a good warm up for when the Buffs take on No. 7 Arizona next Thursday back at the Coors Event Center.
Third Quarter
The Buffs have come out firing in the second half led by Dinwiddie who has seven points, all in the second half. They have come back to be down by only four at the ten minute mark.
With only ten minutes left in the game the Buffs need to put a strong run together in order to come back and take over the Ducks. Oregon leads 19-12 in points in the paint, a stat that the Buffs need to take control of.
In the second half Carlos Emory has come on strong for the Ducks and now leads the team with 12 points off the bench. In total the Ducks lead the Buffs 17-7 in bench points. While Jeremy Adams started hot off the bench for the Buffs, he hasn’t done much since.
The Buffs need to find a way to start making baskets and a way to get back in this game. Someone will need to step up and take control of the game. Dinwiddie looks like he could be starting to do that, but he will need to do a lot if the Buffs expect to win.
First Half
After a slow start the Buffs came back to tie the game up at 17, but then let the Ducks go on a nine and two run. Oregon leads 28-23 at halftime. Josh Scott hit a buzzer beating jump shot at the end of the first half to pull the Buffs within five at end the half.
Besides that there wasn’t much positive for the Buffs. Oregon out-shot the Buffs 41 percent to 33 percent from the field in the first half. Combine that with the nine turnovers CU had and its a miracle that the Buffs are only down five.
Freshman forward Xavier Johnson leads all Buffs with seven points, while E.J. Singler leads the Ducks with 12 including a couple of 3-pointers.
Junior froward Andre Roberson had only two points in the first half but contributed with a game high seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Spencer Dinwiddie went scoreless in the first half after averaging 14 points a game and will need to turn it on if the Buffs expect to have a chance in this game.
With a half left to play the Buffs need to come out fast and gain control of this game.
First Quarter
The No.19 Oregon Ducks came out fast after losing their last two games. The Ducks were up by eight at one point in the first half 15-8. The Buffs came out slow, going four minutes without a field goal at one point.
Jeremy Adams was a spark plug off the bench for the Buffs scoring five points. With starting guard Dominic Artis out with injury, the Ducks are relying heavily on E.J Singler who has nine points.
The Ducks are hitting more jump shots than the Buffs.They lead in shooting percentage 37 percent to 27 percent. The spread offense that the Ducks are running is giving the Buffs fits as they are hitting shots from all over the floor.
The Ducks are playing punishing defense as well as the Buffs have already turned the ball over seven times.
There is still a lot of time left to be played, but the Buffs aren’t starting out very hot.
Contact CU Independent sports editor Scott Annis at robert.annis@colorado.edu.
