Colorado erases deficit for 68-58 win over USC in Bronny James' first career start

Buffs fall behind early but couldn't be stopped by the Trojans in the second half

Jason Jones/BuffsBeat

It's not how you start, but how you finish. Colorado took that to heart on Saturday night by staging a comeback to defeat USC 68-58 at CU Event Center. The win spoiled Bronny James' first career start with projected NBA lottery pick Isaiah Collier out. The son of LeBron James was a non-factor and went scoreless with two rebounds on the night.

Colorado (12-5, 3-3 Pac-12) nearly had all five starters in double-figures. J'Vonne Hadley led the Buffs with 15 points and nine rebounds. Cody Williams added 13 points and Eddie Lampkins, Jr., along with Tristian da Silva chipped in 12 points each. KJ Simpson had a gritty performance to finish with nine points.

The Buffs struggled to get anything going in the first half as they found themselves down 37-24 at halftime. However, the freezing cold temperatures outside the arena couldn't even chill out Colorado from getting hot in the second half. They held USC to 21 points and shot 56 percent from the field in the second half (18-of-32). The Trojans started 3-for-15 from the field after halftime and couldn't find a spark to get back in the game.

USC (8-9, 3-3 Pac-12) had Oziyah Sellers step up to lead all scorers with a career-high 18 points. He was one of four Trojans in double-figures with DJ Rodman, Kobe Johnson, and Vincent Iwuchukwu all adding 10 points a piece.

Colorado ends a three-game losing skid with a much-needed victory, pulling to .500 in conference play. The Buffs are now 10-0 at home and got the 500th victory at CU Events Center.

UP NEXT:

Colorado stays home to face Oregon on Thursday (1/18). USC goes to Arizona for a meeting with the No. 8 Wildcats on Wednesday (1/17).