Media after tonight's win:
Article -
https://cubuffs.com/news/2024/2/28/mens-basketball-buffs-vs-cal
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Da Silva, Simpson Lead Buffs Past Cal
By:
Neill Woelk, Contributing Editor
BOULDER — Colorado put four players in double figures and the Buffaloes' men's basketball team hammered out an 88-78 win over Cal on Wednesday at the CU Events Center.
Tad Boyle's Buffs won their third in a row to improve to 15-1 at home, 19-9 overall and 10-7 in Pac-12 play. The Bears dropped to 13-16, 9-9.
KJ Simpson led the Buffs with 27 points — 18 in the second half — and added seven rebounds and eight assists.
Tristan da Silva tallied 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists;
J'Vonne Hadley scored 13 and
Eddie Lampkin Jr. chipped in 12.
Jaylon Tyson led Cal with 25 points.
The Buffs took the lead less than four minutes into the game and never trailed, but there were still some tense moments. Colorado had a 14-point lead at the half thanks to 18 points from da Silva, only to see the Bears shave that deficit to just five midway through the second half.
But Simpson then took control to help the Buffs push their lead back to double digits and the Bears never threatened down the stretch.
The Buffs shot 50% from the floor (29-for-58) and hit 23 of their 29 free throw attempts. CU held the Bears to 42 percent shooting (29-for-69), including just 9-for-31 from long range.
Colorado also held a 40-31 edge on the boards and the Buffs' strategy of trying to push the pace all night paid off with a 22-8 edge in fast break points.
CU also collected the win without the services of starter
Cody Williams and key reserve
Julian Hammond III, both of whom were out with injuries.
"Cal's a heck of a team but I thought our guys locked in as the second half wore on," Boyle said. "I thought the pace of the game was key. We're playing at altitude, we're in good shape and it takes its toll. Tristan was phenomenal in the first half and I can't say enough about KJ in that second half."
With his team up by 14 at the half, Boyle reminded the Buffs about their first meeting with Cal this year when the Bears erased a 14-point deficit at the half to collect a win on their home court.
"They came out and scored on 11 of their first 13 possessions," Boyle said. "We weren't too proud of that. But once our guys locked in defensively we got some stops, extended the lead and then finished it off strong."
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DECISIVE MOMENT: With 9:18 to play, the Bears had shaved Colorado's lead to just six. But Simpson hit two free throws, then stole the inbounds pass, quickly found Hadley who dished to Ruffin, who then drained a 3-pointer to put the Buffs up by 11, 70-59. Cal never came closer than eight again.
WHAT IT MEANS: Colorado remained firmly in contention for a top-four Pac-12 finish and first-round conference tournament bye. The Buffs also pulled to within one victory of the 20-win mark while adding to their NCAA tourney resume.
KEY STATISTICS: The Buffs shot 50% from the floor (29-for-58) and hit 23 of their 29 free throw attempts … CU held the Bears to 42 percent shooting (29-for-69), including just 9-for-31 from long range … Colorado held a 40-31 edge on the boards and the Buffs racked up a 22-8 edge in fast break points.
NEXT UP: The Buffs play their final regular season home game of the season Sunday when they play host to Stanford in a 7 p.m. game at the Events Center (FS1). They then hit the road next week for a pair, beginning with a 7 p.m. game March 7 at Oregon (ESPN2), then a 3 p.m. game March 9 at Oregon State (Pac-12 Network). After that, it's the Pac-12 tournament in Las Vegas running from March 13-16.
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Box score -
https://cubuffs.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2023-24/california/boxscore/16616
Quotes -
https://cubuffs.com/sports/2024/2/29/colorado-california-quotes