BYU vs Colorado Recap: Defense dooms Cougars against Buffaloes 92-83

For the first time in 60 years the BYU Cougars paid a visit to Colorado to take on the Colorado Buffaloes. The teams started off close as Colorado couldn't pull away from BYU early. In fact, the Cougars managed to tie the game at 15 and had a few chances to take a couple of early leads. However, the defense once again failed the Cougars as they allowed the Buffaloes to beat them on and off the ball. Colorado out rebounded BYU and shot a torrid 52% in the first half and took a double digit lead after a 16-4 lead followed the only tie of the game. BYU was able to still hang around for the rest of the half but the defense allowed 48 points to the bigger and faster Buffaloes, and only managed to score 36.

Although the Cougars are normally a second half team, the first few minutes looked just as bad for the Cougars. Less than five minutes into the second half the Cougars found themselves down 25 points, eerily similar to the deficit the Cougars faced against Utah. The Cougars would follow the same template in the second half against Colorado as they did against Utah, attacking and clawing their way back into the game. With a bit better defense and finally hitting shots from behind the arc, the Cougars found themselves digging into the lead. With only minutes left in the game the Cougars cut the deficit to seven but couldn't pull any closer as Colorado hit key free throws as they went 18-21 from the line in the second half.

Although the Cougars once again fell behind in the first half, the second half fight also showed the possibilities if the team can find a way to play a full 40 minutes. Once again the Cougars were out rebounded for the game as Colorado pulled down 49 boards to the Cougars 41. Nick Emery led the Cougars with 23 points while Kyle Collinsworth added 17 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Kyle Davis recorded a double double with 10 points and 11 rebounds but only shot 2-8. One positive that came from the game was the Cougars free throw shooting as they went 14-18 for 78%.

The Cougars will next play on December 18th at the Marriott Center against Central Michigan. The game will be at 7pm MST and will be live on BYUtv.