In a night where the Colorado Buffaloes hoped to conjure some first-round magic, they found themselves stymied by an Oklahoma State squad that played with precision and poise. The Buffaloes fell 92-83 in the opening round of the Big 12 Conference tournament at Kansas City's T-Mobile Center.
Under the guidance of head coach Tad Boyle, Colorado had enjoyed a remarkable streak, winning 14 of their last 15 first-round conference tournament games. However, this time, their shooting from beyond the arc left much to be desired, and defensive struggles compounded their woes, particularly in keeping Oklahoma State off the free throw line.
The Buffaloes made an impressive 11-0 run to carve out a nine-point lead in the first half, showing glimpses of their potential. But by halftime, the Cowboys had clawed back to take a narrow 41-40 lead. From there, Oklahoma State methodically extended their advantage, shooting an efficient 4-for-7 on three-pointers in the second half and capitalizing at the charity stripe with a 29-for-35 performance.
Colorado's shooting struggles were evident as they went 10-for-29 from three-point range and 9-for-16 at the free throw line. Despite the loss, Bangot Dak shone brightly for the Buffs, delivering a standout performance with 22 points on 10-for-13 shooting and grabbing eight rebounds, tying his career-high in points.
As the Buffaloes await their postseason fate, whether it be a bid to the NIT or the end of their season, they’ll reflect on a night where the shots just didn’t fall and the fouls piled up.