Despite a record-setting performance by freshman Isaiah Johnson, the Colorado Buffaloes were defeated 89-79 by No. 2-ranked Arizona in their final regular season game at the CU Events Center on Saturday night.
The loss puts Colorado’s overall record at 17-14, with a 7-11 mark in Big 12 Conference play. The team finished the season ranked 11th in the conference and had a strong home record of 13-5. Arizona completed its regular season atop the Big 12 standings, finishing with a record of 29-2 and going 16-2 in conference games.
Isaiah Johnson led Colorado with a career-high 28 points, setting a new school record for most points scored by a freshman in a single season. He surpassed Alec Burks’ previous mark of 512 points from the 2009-10 season and now has totaled 526 points this year.
“It definitely means a lot,” Johnson said. “That’s not easy to come by, being able to break that record. I’m just thankful that my coaches and my teammates have been able to put me in that position.”
Barrington Hargress contributed with 13 points, two blocks, and two steals while Jalin Holland added another 12 points for Colorado.
Arizona was led by freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat who scored 31 and 25 points respectively. After falling behind early by as many as eleven points, Arizona narrowed the deficit to just two at halftime before taking control after intermission. The Wildcats made four out of five three-point attempts in the second half after missing all six tries in the first period and shot over seventy percent from the field during those final twenty minutes.
A key factor was Arizona’s dominance inside; they outscored Colorado fifty-four to twenty-six on points in the paint.
“We had to protect and defend the paint, and we didn’t do that,” said head coach Tad Boyle. “They scored 54 points in the paint, and that was the reason they won the game, and we didn’t. That’s really what it comes down to. It was our inability to do that.”
Before tip-off, senior Elijah Malone was honored during Senior Night festivities. Malone played his longest stretch of minutes this season—twenty-nine—and finished with seven points along with eight rebounds.
“The thing I like about Elijah is he gives you everything he’s got,” Boyle commented. “He’s pretty self-aware as a player, and he’s a team-first guy.” He’s helped guys this season, even though he hasn’t had the year he wanted. I’m really proud of Elijah Malone, the way he’s handled himself this year.”
Colorado will next compete as the No. 11 seed at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament. Their opening game is scheduled against Oklahoma State on Tuesday evening at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
