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Fast and Furious Buffs Comeback Overtakes Crimson, 70-62
Nov 24th
By B.G. Brooks, CUBuffs.com Contributing Editor
BOULDER – Long before Sunday, Tad Boyle had no doubt about the competitive makeup of his Colorado basketball team. When he left the Coors Events Center late Sunday afternoon, his belief had been underscored.
After trailing for almost 35 minutes, the Buffaloes shifted gears offensively and defensively – and, yes, mentally – and overtook previously unbeaten Harvard, 70-62, improving to 50-7 under Boyle at the CEC.
“Our team has fight in it, no doubt,” Boyle said. “Our guys found a way . . . we’ve got competitors in that locker room.”
Sunday’s second half proved it. Down by 14 points in the opening minute of the final 20, the Buffs (6-1) used a 14-0 run in the last 8:23 to catch and surpass the Crimson (4-1). Sophomore forward Xavier Johnson contributed back-to-back three-pointers in the run, with junior guard Spencer Dinwiddie adding a third and edging the CEC crowd of 9,770 close to delirium.
“The three threes got the crowd going,” Boyle said. “Our fans were terrific.”
The win was CU’s biggest in a six-game November home stand that saw Boyle’s four-year record in the month climb to 15-0.
“The thing that’s so satisfying is how we got it and the team we got it against,” Boyle said, citing Crimson coach Tommy Amaker “and what he’s done with the Harvard program . . . that’s a veteran, well-coached team.”
Dinwiddie’s 17 points topped four CU players in double figures and further reinforced Boyle’s opinion of his 6-6 point guard.
“He’s playing at a very high level,” Boyle said. “Spencer has a good feel for the game; he’s a very calming influence our on team. I trust him – but I trust all of our players.”
Dinwiddie had scoring help from guard Askia Booker and forward Josh Scott with 12 points each, while Johnson added 11. Harvard also had four players reach double figures, led by Kyle Casey’s 13.
It was the second-half board work – especially on the defensive end – of Scott and teammate Wesley Gordon, who grabbed a game-best 11 rebounds apiece, that made a large impression on Boyle in a highly physical game. CU out-rebounded the Ivy League visitors 46-29.
The 6-10 Scott picked up a couple of first-half fouls and was limited to 12 minutes on the court. In the second half, he said, he didn’t feel encumbered by fouls and was able to get a feel for the game.
“That’s not an excuse,” he said, “it’s just of kind of how it works out . . . I wasn’t scoring and I wasn’t exactly blocking shots so I figured I’d play defense and rebound. The shots came afterwards and I shot well from the free throw line (a team best six-of-eight).”
The Buffs also held the Crimson to 23.5 percent shooting from the field in the second half and limited them to one three-pointer after allowing six treys in the first half. CU led only once in the first half – 3-2 on Johnson’s three-pointer to open CU’s scoring – and trailed by 12 (42-30) at intermission. After that brief one-point Buffs lead, Harvard went on a 14-1 run that featured four treys and ended with the Crimson up 16-4.
That surge – in reality, the entire first half – amounted to a long-range replay that Boyle might have believed the Buffs wouldn’t allow. The Crimson didn’t arrive in Boulder with the reputation of a dangerous bunch beyond the arc; they had shot just 26.3 percent on three-point attempts in their four previous wins.
Apparently, the word on CU’s susceptibility to the long ball got out. Harvard’s season-high for made three-pointers was six against Holy Cross, but in Sunday’s first 4 minutes the Crimson had drained four and they finished the first 20 minutes tying their season high (six).
Meanwhile, those six treys also tied three other CU opponents for the most allowed in a first half this season. CU allowed 11 treys in Thursday night’s win over UC Santa Barbara. The Buffs’ six opponents had shot 38.2 percent from behind the arc, with two foes – Baylor, UT-Martin – at 40 percent or higher. Harvard finished the first half at 50 percent (6-of-12).
But the second half was lock down time for the Buffs. Boyle’s halftime message about his team’s perimeter defense: “Respect them as shooters . . . Harvard moves the ball quickly (and) you have to move on the pass. We didn’t do it (in the first half) but we did a better job in the second half.”
After Harvard took its first 12-point lead, CU closed to within three points twice (19-16, 21-18) before the visitors pulled away again and fashioned their 12-point advantage at intermission. The Crimson shot 53.6 percent from the field (15-of-28) while the Buffs were well back at 42.3 percent (11-of-26).
Maybe the half’s most telling stat: Harvard scored 12 points off nine CU turnovers. But the Buffs committed only six second-half errors, leading to seven Crimson points.
Harvard’s Steve Moundou-Missi opened the second-half scoring with an inside basket, putting CU down 44-30, with that 14-point deficit matching the Buffs’ largest this season (first time vs. Baylor in the season-opening loss).
It might have jarred the Buffs awake. Over the next 31/2 minutes, they outscored the Crimson 9-0 to pull to within 44-39 on a layup Booker with 15:45 to play. The Buffs crept to within five again (46-41) on a short, falling-to-the-floor jumper by Xavier Talton, but three consecutive CU turnovers helped Harvard restore a 50-41 lead and prompted a timeout by Boyle.
“We were down nine, 50-41, and I said, ‘Guys, we don’t have a nine-point play. We have to get stops,” Boyle said. The Buffs did, getting stops on five Crimson possessions and creeping to within four points on two occasions (50-46, 52-48) before Dinwiddie hit a baseline runner with the shot clock winding down and brought the Buffs to within 52-50.
On Harvard’s next possession, a rejection by Scott gave CU a chance to go ahead – and the Buffs took advantage on an “XJ” triple with exactly 5 minutes left. When he hit from the right wing, the Buffs had their first lead (53-52) since his trey opened their scoring.
And he wasn’t finished. With Scott controlling the boards on the other end, CU moved back downcourt and Johnson drilled another three from the right corner.
“Pretty much it’s all just the game plan,” Johnson said. “Coach Boyle lays (it) out for us and I was able to hit the open shot. We had great ball movement, we played inside out and I was able to be open for the jump shot.”
The Buffs were up 56-52, and Dinwiddie was about to get into the act. His straight-away triple pushed CU ahead 59-52, and Scott followed with one of two free throws for a 60-52 advantage with 3:27 remaining and completed the Buffs’ 14-0 run.
During that stretch, said Scott, the Crimson players were drawing ragged breaths: “Breathing hard, their shooters for a good 10-minute span were short on a lot of shots or wide with their shots. They weren’t running as fast as they were in the first half, you could just tell . . . I think the altitude got to them.”
Harvard got as close as 66-62 on Laurent Rivard’s trey – the Crimson’s only triple of the second half – with 30 seconds to play. But CU closed it out by hitting five of six free throws – three by Talton, two by Booker – in the last 28.3 and matched the 11th largest comeback in the history of the men’s program.
The Buffs don’t play again until Saturday, when they travel to Air Force (2 p.m.), and Scott – from Colorado Springs – said a break in what has been a demanding November routine is welcome.
“We’re pretty excited to have a little rest time,” he said. “We’ve pretty much had an every-other-day game schedule, which is fun, but it wears on you. We’re on Thanksgiving break right now for school, so it will be pretty nice just to be on the basketball schedule and then chill out for the week.”
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CU soccer heads to Sweet 16
Nov 21st
Colorado improves to 14-6-2 overall. The Buffs are now 9-0-1 when scoring at least two goals. CU is also 2-3-2 against ranked opponents, picking up back-to-back wins over ranked opponents for the first time since 2010 when the Buffs beat No. 12 UCLA and No. 6 Texas A&M in back-to-back games. BYU’s eight game unbeaten streak and season both come to an end. The Cougars gave up two goals for just the fourth time this season (only one other time did that result in a loss). BYU ends its season with a 15-5-1 record.
Though the Cougars edged the Buffs in shots (17 to 11) and shots on goal (seven to five), CU netted the shots that mattered most, and keeper Annie Brunner grabbed six saves. Though the Cougars entered the game holding the nation’s 19th best goals-against average and 29th best shutout percentage, the CU attack was too much for West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Erica Owens.
“We defended like warriors; BYU was putting so much pressure on us near the end of the game and we were just smart going forward,” Sanchez said. “We had a couple of chances to make it a 3-1 game, but I’m just real proud of this team because I don’t think these players understand what this means to the University of Colorado, what it means to the alumni and former players. It’s just big for our players now and whether it’s soccer, basketball or football we are just really pleased to represent a great institution at this level.” BYU seemed primed to make some big moves in the beginning of the game, taking the first four shots. In the sixth minute, after a long Alex Huynh free kick found its way to the front of the Cougar net, CU couldn’t retain possession. BYU rushed back, and Paige Hunt sent a ball wide off a corner kick. While the Cougars were dominating the pace, the CU defense remained solid. In the eighth minute, Marissa Nimmer sent the ball toward the net for an easy save by Brunner. Cloee Colohan continued the offensive pressure, first getting stopped by a big-time block by Lizzy Herzl and then, despite creating some space in front of the net, hitting the ball wide right. The Buffs got their moment in the 15 and 16th minutes, when Darcy Jerman and Anne Stuller both hit their shots just high, helping the squad gain momentum. The Cougars once again got back into Buffalo territory, but this time, it was Niki Fernandes who rushed her shot wide. CU responded with a big attack. In the 21st minute, Anne Stuller sent her corner kick to the near post. The ball got to Emily Paxton, who shot to the far post. The ball deflected off a BYU player to fall into the net and put the Buffs up 1-0. “It was a great build up,” Paxton said. “It was also a great through ball from Madi to earn the corner and it was a near post ball. It felt like the longest two seconds that I’ve had before they came after me and luckily it went in.” The Buffs continued to press, taking two more corner kicks in the 25th and 26th minutes. The first was finger-tipped away by Owens at the net, but the second couldn’t stay in the Buffs’ possession. The Cougars looked to even the score, taking three consecutive shots. First, Nimmer sent a field goal of a kick to the net. Jaiden Thornock matched her pace, rushing in in an attempt to beat several CU defenders. Huynh came in for the tackle and Brunner was ready for the ensuing save. Brunner picked up another save in the 30th minute, after Ella Johnson booted the ball her way. BYU’s attack wouldn’t last for long, as CU extended its lead to 2-0 in the 34th minute. From 18 yards out, Carly Bolyard took a beautiful shot that reached Owens, who wasn’t able to hold onto the ball and could only watch as the ball slid into the net.
Madison Krauser provided the assist from the far post. The goal was Bolyard’s first since she netted a goal and contributed an assist in the Buffs’ 5-0 win over Colorado College in the 2011 Colorado Cup. “It feels amazing, that moment in unforgettable and it’s just nice to finally get one,” Bolyard said of her goal. Stuller and Brooke Rice would both take shots for CU in the final 10 minutes of the half as the Cougars were forced to play defense. Though the game became more physical in the final six minutes, CU’s 2-0 lead would hold at the break. The Buffs picked up right where they left off to start the second half. In the 52nd minute, Mikaela Kraus sent a shot wide. Less than a minute later, Paxton forced Owens to grab her first save of the game. However, the momentum would quickly turn in BYU’s favor. In the 58th minute, Fernandes got one-on-one with Hayley Hughes in the right edge of the box. Fernandes found her opportunity and shot the ball high to the far post. The Cougars continued to push the CU defense and got their scoring opportunity in the 59th minute. Brunner got faked out and fell to the far post as Fernandes snuck in a goal from 10 yards out. Rachel Manning was credited with the assist as the Cougars narrowed the Buffs’ lead to 2-1.
Both hungry to keep their season alive, CU and BYU combined for five shots in an eight minute span, with the Cougars grabbing a three to two edge. Fernandes and Hughes were once again head-to-head, with Fernandes getting the advantage and forcing a save. The Buffs and Cougars battled back and forth for possession and offensive dominance, but it was BYU who would find their stride on the attack. With 20 minutes remaining, Fernandes took her fourth consecutive shot, getting blocked to set up a corner, where Manning would head the ball wide.
CU was able to respond, with Paxton continuing her strength in front of the net, taking a shot from the right edge to force another save. In the 77th minute, Jerman took the Buffs’ final shot of the game, hitting the ball wide past the far post. In the closing minutes, BYU sent everyone forward, causing a close call in the 83rd minute. Following a corner kick, a group of Cougars fought to even the score. First, Johnson used her head to force a save. Then, Colohan got the ball, knocking one into the crossbar. Hughes and Fernandes met one final time, with Brunner meeting her blocked shot to close out the game. The Buffs will face the winner of the Mississippi/Florida State matchup. Kick-off of the Sweet 16 game is at 1 p.m. ET (11 a.m. MT) on Saturday, Nov. 23. at Florida State Soccer Stadium. “It’s just awesome, I told (coach) that he can’t get rid of us yet,” Hughes said. “I think as seniors we just want to keep going because we aren’t ready to be done. I think that it’s just awesome and it means a lot to us and there are also a lot of people that are following us. I have teachers and just old teammates that are just so invested in this and it just means a lot to us and this is a great experience and we just want to keep going.”
—
Marlee Horn Graduate Assistant SID University of Colorado
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CU soccer moves to Sweet 16, defeating BYU
Nov 21st
Behind first-half goals by sophomore Emily Paxton and junior Carly Bolyard, the Buffaloes took down the Cougars to advance the Sweet 16. This is CU’s second trip to the third round of NCAAs – the Buffs advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2006 to post the program’s best NCAA finish.
“I think first and foremost to beat a team of BYU’s quality is a tremendous testament to how we have grown as a program throughout the year,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “We have struggled at the end of the season and never lost focus; we have never lost any fight, I’m just real proud on how they just kept working. As far as the game today, we knew that BYU would bring a lot of pressure and Emily got that early goal which gave us a lot of confidence and then Carly got the second. You know what they say a 2-0 lead is the most dangerous lead, which I disagree because if it was 1-0 and would have been tied, but there is always a tendency to relax a little bit and I think that they caught us and made it 2-1 with about 30 minutes to go, but I feel after that we played very well.”
Colorado improves to 14-6-2 overall. The Buffs are now 9-0-1 when scoring at least two goals. CU is also 2-3-2 against ranked opponents, picking up back-to-back wins over ranked opponents for the first time since 2010 when the Buffs beat No. 12 UCLA and No. 6 Texas A&M in back-to-back games.
BYU’s eight game unbeaten streak and season both come to an end. The Cougars gave up two goals for just the fourth time this season (only one other time did that result in a loss). BYU ends its season with a 15-5-1 record.
Though the Cougars edged the Buffs in shots (17 to 11) and shots on goal (seven to five), CU netted the shots that mattered most, and keeper Annie Brunner grabbed six saves. Though the Cougars entered the game holding the nation’s 19th best goals-against average and 29th best shutout percentage, the CU attack was too much for West Coast Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Erica Owens.
“We defended like warriors; BYU was putting so much pressure on us near the end of the game and we were just smart going forward,” Sanchez said. “We had a couple of chances to make it a 3-1 game, but I’m just real proud of this team because I don’t think these players understand what this means to the University of Colorado, what it means to the alumni and former players. It’s just big for our players now and whether it’s soccer, basketball or football we are just really pleased to represent a great institution at this level.”
BYU seemed primed to make some big moves in the beginning of the game, taking the first four shots. In the sixth minute, after a long Alex Huynh free kick found its way to the front of the Cougar net, CU couldn’t retain possession. BYU rushed back, and Paige Hunt sent a ball wide off a corner kick.
While the Cougars were dominating the pace, the CU defense remained solid. In the eighth minute, Marissa Nimmer sent the ball toward the net for an easy save by Brunner. Cloee Colohan continued the offensive pressure, first getting stopped by a big-time block by Lizzy Herzl and then, despite creating some space in front of the net, hitting the ball wide right.
The Buffs got their moment in the 15 and 16th minutes, when Darcy Jerman and Anne Stuller both hit their shots just high, helping the squad gain momentum. The Cougars once again got back into Buffalo territory, but this time, it was Niki Fernandes who rushed her shot wide.
CU responded with a big attack. In the 21st minute, Anne Stuller sent her corner kick to the near post. The ball got to Emily Paxton, who shot to the far post. The ball deflected off a BYU player to fall into the net and put the Buffs up 1-0.
“It was a great build up,” Paxton said. “It was also a great through ball from Madi to earn the corner and it was a near post ball. It felt like the longest two seconds that I’ve had before they came after me and luckily it went in.”
The Buffs continued to press, taking two more corner kicks in the 25th and 26th minutes. The first was finger-tipped away by Owens at the net, but the second couldn’t stay in the Buffs’ possession.
The Cougars looked to even the score, taking three consecutive shots. First, Nimmer sent a field goal of a kick to the net. Jaiden Thornock matched her pace, rushing in in an attempt to beat several CU defenders. Huynh came in for the tackle and Brunner was ready for the ensuing save. Brunner picked up another save in the 30th minute, after Ella Johnson booted the ball her way.
BYU’s attack wouldn’t last for long, as CU extended its lead to 2-0 in the 34th minute. From 18 yards out, Carly Bolyard took a beautiful shot that reached Owens, who wasn’t able to hold onto the ball and could only watch as the ball slid into the net. Madison Krauser provided the assist from the far post.
The goal was Bolyard’s first since she netted a goal and contributed an assist in the Buffs’ 5-0 win over Colorado College in the 2011 Colorado Cup. “It feels amazing, that moment in unforgettable and it’s just nice to finally get one,” Bolyard said of her goal.
Stuller and Brooke Rice would both take shots for CU in the final 10 minutes of the half as the Cougars were forced to play defense. Though the game became more physical in the final six minutes, CU’s 2-0 lead would hold at the break.
The Buffs picked up right where they left off to start the second half. In the 52nd minute, Mikaela Kraus sent a shot wide. Less than a minute later, Paxton forced Owens to grab her first save of the game. However, the momentum would quickly turn in BYU’s favor. In the 58th minute, Fernandes got one-on-one with Hayley Hughes in the right edge of the box. Fernandes found her opportunity and shot the ball high to the far post.
The Cougars continued to push the CU defense and got their scoring opportunity in the 59th minute. Brunner got faked out and fell to the far post as Fernandes snuck in a goal from 10 yards out. Rachel Manning was credited with the assist as the Cougars narrowed the Buffs’ lead to 2-1.
Both hungry to keep their season alive, CU and BYU combined for five shots in an eight minute span, with the Cougars grabbing a three to two edge. Fernandes and Hughes were once again head-to-head, with Fernandes getting the advantage and forcing a save. The Buffs and Cougars battled back and forth for possession and offensive dominance, but it was BYU who would find their stride on the attack. With 20 minutes remaining, Fernandes took her fourth consecutive shot, getting blocked to set up a corner, where Manning would head the ball wide.
CU was able to respond, with Paxton continuing her strength in front of the net, taking a shot from the right edge to force another save. In the 77th minute, Jerman took the Buffs’ final shot of the game, hitting the ball wide past the far post.
In the closing minutes, BYU sent everyone forward, causing a close call in the 83rd minute. Following a corner kick, a group of Cougars fought to even the score. First, Johnson used her head to force a save. Then, Colohan got the ball, knocking one into the crossbar. Hughes and Fernandes met one final time, with Brunner meeting her blocked shot to close out the game.
The Buffs will face the winner of the Mississippi/Florida State matchup. Kick-off of the Sweet 16 game is at 1 p.m. ET (11 a.m. MT) on Saturday, Nov. 23. at Florida State Soccer Stadium.
“It’s just awesome, I told (coach) that he can’t get rid of us yet,” Hughes said. “I think as seniors we just want to keep going because we aren’t ready to be done. I think that it’s just awesome and it means a lot to us and there are also a lot of people that are following us. I have teachers and just old teammates that are just so invested in this and it just means a lot to us and this is a great experience and we just want to keep going.”
—
Marlee Horn Graduate Assistant SID University of Colorado
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