Buffs Handle Business in Empty Arena, Outlast Portland State 84-73
It wasn’t the kind of night that lends itself to momentum. No crowd.
No noise. Just the hum of the lights and the squeak of sneakers inside a nearly empty CU Events Center.
But the Colorado men’s basketball team didn’t wait around for an atmosphere to get going - they had to create their own energy. And when it mattered most, they found just enough of it.
With high winds and widespread blackouts sweeping through Boulder, the university shut the doors to fans just hours before tipoff. That left the Buffaloes playing in a gym that felt more like a scrimmage than a home game. Still, CU took care of business, fending off a pesky Portland State squad for an 84-73 win on Wednesday night.
This one followed a script Buffs fans are starting to know well: plenty of offensive firepower, but some shaky stretches on the defensive end. Portland State didn’t come in to roll over - they led for much of the first half and kept things tight well into the second. But Colorado (now 10-1 on the season) made the plays when it counted, using a late 11-2 run to finally put the game out of reach.
The spark came from freshman guard Isaiah Johnson, who continues to show a poise beyond his years. Johnson was perfect from the free-throw line, going 11-for-11 on his way to a team-high 20 points. In a game where every possession felt like a grind, those free throws were gold.
Barrington Hargress added another efficient, well-rounded performance. He finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and dished out six assists, keeping the offense humming during some of the game’s choppier moments. And big man Bangot Dak quietly notched his second double-double of the season, posting 10 points and 10 rebounds in a workmanlike effort down low.
While CU’s defense still has some wrinkles to iron out, the offense continues to deliver - and that’s been enough to keep them rolling through the early part of the schedule. The Buffs are now 10-1, and while this win won’t make many highlight reels, it showed something else: the ability to grind through an offbeat night, stay composed, and close strong.
No fans. No frills. Just a team finding ways to win.