Colorado dominates Northern Colorado 90-68

Buffaloes flexing some muscle going into the holiday season

KJ Simpson led the way with 21 points as Colorado took care of Nothern Colorado 90-68 on Friday night. He was one of six Buffs in double figures for the victory, including double-double from Eddie Lampkin Jr. with 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

After struggling early, Colorado got it going shortly before halftime and never looked back. At one point, the Buffs rolled off eleven straight baskets as Northern Colorado had no answer on defense. Tad Boyle’s team improved to 8-2 on the season and made it look effortless against the in-state rival. 

“You know midway through the first our guys were a little frustrated because they think it’s going to be easy…..you have to grind it out a little bit because teams come in here with a game plan and they play hard,” said Boyle. 

“Offensively, we’re playing really well together. Another 23 assists tonight and six guys in double figures so a lot of good things offensively. Defensively, we keep getting better, did a good job…….I was really pleased, other than the way we finished the game. Last three and a half minutes we got beat 12-6 which I don’t like.”

J’Vonne Hadley had 15 points and six assists. Add that to Luke O’Brien's 14 points, along with Tristan da Silva who put up 12 points and Julian Hammond scoring 10 points. 

UNC's Saint Thomas led all scorers with 27 points. He was one rebound shy of a double-double in a losing effort.   

I think our mentality was just not being being complacent,” said Simpson. “Miami was a really, really great win for us….after beating a team like that, the next game can be a trap game….we wanted to play the same way, and keep the same mindset we had going into the Miami game to this game.”

The Buffs combined for 23 assists on the night. This was the sixth game of the season with 20 plus assists for the Buffs. Colorado hasn't lost at home this season with a perfect 6-0 record.

UP NEXT: 

Colorado faces a non-conference finale at home Thursday (12/21) against Utah Tech. Pac-12 play starts on Dec. 29 when the Buffs host Washington. 

Northern Colorado heads south to the Academy for a meeting with Air Force on Thursday (12/21).