Colorado Rallies to Defeat USD, 83-72

The University of San Diego could not overcome the Colorado bench, and the Buffaloes rallied for an 83-72 victory in a nonconference men’s basketball game at Boulder Saturday night.

Forwards Dan Becker and Brian Robinson combined for 33 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Becker scored 21 and Robinson added 12 points and 6 rebounds.

USD (7-5) led, 39-37, at the half, but Colorado (3-9) rallied in the second half. Robinson and Becker provided key rebounds as Colorado took control.

With Colorado leading, 61-60, with 7:30 remaining, the Buffaloes’ Torrance Chapman missed the front end of a one-and-one. Robinson, however, grabbed the rebound and scored to give Colorado a 63-60 lead. Robinson then scored a minute later on a 12-foot jumper from the right side, and Colorado led 65-60. Chapman again missed the front end of a one-and-one, and this time Becker grabbed the rebound and scored as the Buffaloes led, 67-60, with 5:33 to play.

“I never thought we had control of the game,” USD Coach Hank Egan said. “The two baskets on the missed free throws were the key for Colorado. We got a little antsy and shot it too quick at the end.”

USD was also hurt at the free-throw line. The Toreros were called for 27 fouls and Colorado was 28 of 41 from the line. In contrast, USD was 3 of 9 from the line as Colorado was called for 14 fouls. USD was also called for three technical fouls, two by Egan.

After Colorado took its 67-60 lead, USD could get no closer than five points when Danny Means scored on a 12-foot jumper from the right of the key to cut the deficit to 67-62. But Colorado pulled away and led by as many as 12 points late in the game.

Colorado was led by 6-foot 10-inch center Scott Wilke’s 27 points, including 11 of 13 from the line. USD was led by Marty Munn, who scored 19 points, including 15 from three-point range. Means scored 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, and Efrem Leonard added 16 points for USD.