Jason Jones/BuffsBeat
Da Silva, Colorado dominate Stanford 81-71 on Senior Night
Colorado Buffaloes senior Tristan da Silva put on a masterful performance in his final game at CU Events Center on Sunday night. Da Silva had a season-high 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Buffaloes to a dominating 81-71 win over the Stanford Cardinal.
In what was a back-and-forth contest in the early going, Colorado was sparked by a 15-3 run to pull ahead 42-30 with 2:56 remaining in the first half. The Buffaloes took a 44-37 lead into halftime behind 14 points from K.J. Simpson. Da Silva did most of his damage in the second half.
The Munich, Germany native had 19 points after the break to pace the Buffaloes to their fourth straight win. Simpson finished with 22 points, J’Vonne Hadley added 15, and Eddie Lampkin Jr. had 11 points. Hampered by an ankle injury, talented Buffaloes freshman Cody Williams missed his second straight game and 11th this season.
Junior Maxime Raynaud, who played alongside Spurs rookie Victory Wembanyama in France, led the Cardinal (12-17, 7-12 Pac-12) with 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting.
With the victory, Colorado (20-9, 11-7 Pac-12) finished the regular season 16-1 at CU Events Center, their only loss coming to a then No. 8 Arizona on February 10. The Buffaloes will close out the regular season with a pair of road games at Oregon and Oregon State this week.
Da Silva and Luke O'Brien were the only two Buffs Honored during Senior night. Many are speculating if Lampkin and Williams will be returning for Tad Boyle next season.
As of March 1, ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi had Colorado among his first four teams out. A strong finish this week, in addition to a good showing in the Pac-12 Tournament next week, and the Buffaloes can give voters a tough choice once Selection Sunday arrives.
