The University of Colorado Buffaloes dropped a nail bitter to the Utah Utes 56-54 on Friday night at the Coors Event Center in Colorado.

Punch for punch, back and forth both Pac-12 teams went all night, but finally Utah was able to get the final punch in against the mighty Buffs.

Utah Lorenzo Bonam dropped in his biggest two points in the final 1.1 seconds to give Utah the victory. Bonam sliced his way into the lane and around Buffs forward Josh Scott. Bonam finished the night with a team high 17 points for the Utes.

Neither side could separate themselves in opening half

Both teams traded baskets in the first half each time down the floor. It took Colorado over 4 minutes to score to open the game, but when they did it was with a splash; Buffaloes guard George King hit an open three to start the scoring for the Buffaloes. This was the first three points for King en route to a game high 21 points as he ruled over the Utah defense all night.

With the first half coming to a close and Utah having a 26-24 lead, heading into the locker room the game already had the feeling of a tight and close finish. 

Colorado was able to bounce out of the second half and start to dominate the Utes. At one point during the second half, taking a nine point lead over Utah, who seemed to be fading in a low scoring contest Colorado started to gain momentum.

Utah gets momentum on their side

Then Utah came roaring back to tie the score up at 52 all with an even three minutes of basketball to play. Utah’s prized big man Jakob Poeltl dropped in a layup with a minute and a half to play in the game. Colorado then turned to the hot hand in King who calmly knocked down a jumper and tied the score up at 54.

Utah came back down the floor and missed a three, but was able to secure an offensive rebound. Following the rebound they turned the ball over giving Colorado a chance with 40 seconds left. Buffaloes guard Josh Fortune unfortunately turned the ball over late and the rest is in the books as Utah finished the game at the buzzer.

Utah forward Kyle Kuzma added 12 points to accompany Bonam’s 17. Scott was able to add 10 for the Buffaloes along with the 21 King dropped.

Utah will head home to take on Pac-12 foe in the Oregon Ducks in Salt Lake City on Thursday, January 14. Tipoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. EST. Colorado stays in Boulder to host the Oregon State Beavers on Wednesday, January 13. Tipoff is slated for 11 p.m. EST.

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About the author
Casey Splane
My name is Casey Splane and I am a college baseball player at Benedictine College studying journalism and sports broadcasting.