Scott's 29 leads Colorado past Lipscomb 84-75

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) Feeding the ball inside to Josh Scott paid off in a big way for Colorado.

Scott scored a career-high 29 points, including converting a key three-point play in the closing minutes, and Colorado withstood Lipscomb's strong second half for an 84-75 victory on Sunday.

''We had a distinct size advantage,'' Colorado coach Tad Boyle said. ''Josh is going to run up against bigger and more imposing front lines than what he did today. He knows that. Our team knows that. The good thing is we recognized that's where our advantage was and we exploited it.''

The 6-foot-10 Scott also had 13 rebounds to help Colorado (4-1) win its 22nd consecutive nonconference game at home, the third longest streak in school history.

''We're talented and when we get the ball moving and share it with each other, I think we can be special,'' Scott said. ''I mean, I scored a lot of points off assists tonight, and it's fun to play that way.''

Lipscomb coach Casey Alexander said the Bisons didn't get enough defensive pressure on Scott in the low post.

''He's a heck of a player and we knew that coming in,'' Alexander said. ''We didn't defend him the way we wanted to. He caught the ball too close to the rim and got too good of looks.''

Askia Booker added 18 points and Xavier Johnson 10 for Colorado, which came out on top in the first meeting between the schools.

Nathan Moran had 17 points to lead Lipscomb (2-4). Martin Smith added 13 points and Josh Williams 11.

Lipscomb used a 7-0 burst, including a 3-pointer by Williams to pull to 62-55 with 7:18 left to play.

Brett Wishon and Smith each hit 3-pointers around a dunk by Scott as the Bisons narrowed the deficit to 67-61.

But Scott then converted a three-point play and Booker hit a layup to give Colorado an 11-point edge with 4:28 remaining. Martin Smith made three free throws with 1:31 to get Lipscomb within 80-74 but the Bisons could get no closer.

After trailing by as many as 24 points, Lipscomb went on a 12-5 run over the last two minutes of the first half, pulling to 49-35 behind successive layups in the final seconds by Smith.

Colorado led from the outset, scoring the game's first eight points, including three field goals from up close by Scott.

TIP-INS

Lipscomb: The 75 points by the Bisons were the most scored against Colorado this season. The previous high was 59 points by Auburn on Nov. 17. Nathan Moran made five of Lipscomb's 13 3-pointers. Colorado out-rebounded Lipscomb 41-27.

Colorado: Josh Scott had his second double-double of the season and 17th of his career. Askia Booker had seven of Colorado's 20 assists. Colorado was outscored by Lipscomb 40-35 in the second half. Colorado coach Tad Boyle, in his fifth season, is closing in on 100 wins. He improved to 96-51.

QUOTE TO NOTE

''Our emphasis is to get the ball inside. I mean, this guy (Josh Scott) is a scoring machine once he gets in there.'' --Askia Booker.

UP NEXT

Lipscomb: at Tennessee Tech on Wednesday.

Colorado: hosts San Francisco on Wednesday.