Fast start propels Colorado to 82-70 victory over Arizona State
Senior guard J’Vonne Hadley finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Colorado Buffaloes to an 82-70 win over the Arizona State Sun Devils Thursday night. With the win, Colorado (16-7, 7-5 Pac-12) improved to 13-0 at CU Events Center this season.
Tad Boyle’s squad jumped out to a 12-0 start in the first four minutes of the game and never relinquished their lead. Colorado led 44-35 at the half behind the strong shooting of Hadley, who had 11 points at the break. The Buffaloes outscored the Sun Devils 38-35 in the second half to close out the victory.
Colorado standout freshman Cody Williams, who is projected by many to be a lottery pick in June’s NBA Draft, returned from a one-game absence (wrist) to finish with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. Williams and Hadley joined KJ Simpson (1ÿ7 points) and Tristan da Silva (15 points) as the Colorado starters in double figures. Eddie Lampkin Jr. added eight points, five rebounds and three steals. Arizona State (11-12, 5-7 Pac-12) also had four starters in double figures led by junior guard Frankie Collins’ 18 points.
Colorado will next face No. 8 Arizona on Saturday night at CU Events Center. Without two of their top three scorers, the Buffaloes were steamrolled by the Wildcats 97-50 in Tucson, Ariz. on January 5. Colorado however is 12-3 all-time against Arizona at CU Events Center. They haven’t lost to the Wildcats in Boulder since February 26, 2015.
