Forward Andrej Jakimovski jumps to attempt a shot during the game against Pacific at the CU Events Center on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado men’s basketball team picked up its sixth win of the season against the University of the Pacific Tigers on Monday night. This marks the team’s fifth consecutive home win, demonstrating its strength when playing in Boulder.
Coming off a 1-2 record at the Maui Invitational, where the Buffaloes defeated what was then the No. 2 University of Connecticut, getting back into the win column was important. They did just that, despite trailing Pacific for the first 30 minutes of regulation. A strong final 10 minutes from the Buffs – a consistent theme this season – gave them the edge. This is the first of two home games this week, as the Colorado State Rams will travel to Boulder for the basketball edition of the 2024 Rocky Mountain Showdown.
From the opening minutes of Monday’s matchup, Pacific jumped to an early lead. Elijah Fisher led the way for the Tigers, contributing 12 points, six of which came from the free-throw line. The Tigers shot 11 first-half free throws, compared to the Buffs’ six. While Pacific struggled from three-point range, shooting 28.6% (2 of 7), they dominated the paint, pouring in 24 points in the key. They also outrebounded Colorado 22-19. Pacific displayed much more physicality in the first half, which ultimately led to an 11-point lead, highlighted by a 15-point scoring run in the first 10 minutes of the game.
Leading the way for the Buffaloes in the first half was Andrej Jakimovski, who scored 11 points while hitting three of his four three-point attempts. The Buffs struggled to get much else going, shooting 10 of 31 (32.3%) from the field in the first half. Trevor Baskin was a bright spot for the squad, pulling down five rebounds and blocking three shots in the first 20 minutes. He also contributed a three-pointer in a solid first-half showing from beyond the arc, as Colorado shot 42.9% (6 of 14) from three.
RJ Smith takes the ball past the 3-point line during the game against Pacific at the CU Events Center on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
The second half saw a turnaround for the Buffaloes. They spent the first 10 minutes chipping away at Pacific’s lead, which had been 38-29 at halftime. With 11 minutes to go, Colorado took the lead for the first time since the opening minutes of the game. Jakimovski added to his three-pointers from the first half, while RJ Smith hit a pair, including the go-ahead basket. At 51-50 with 11:24 to go, the Buffs never looked back, holding on to the lead until the final buzzer. Smith described those three-pointers as momentum-shifting plays
“It was good, got our team going and rallied up. We just really wanted to get another stop after that. Our defense was our momentum tonight in the second half, so getting that and passing it out while facilitating to other guys, that’s really where it started,” Smith said.
The Tigers seemed to tire in the final 10 minutes, struggling to find the basket as many of their jumpers came up short. Colorado capitalized, running the floor and getting physical in the paint. Ultimately, the Buffs secured the win with clutch free throws from Harrison Carrington, Baskin, and Julian Hammond III. All three went two for two from the line with just a minute remaining.
Elijah Malone and Baskin both stepped up in the second half, combining for 15 points. Malone, who was scoreless in the first half, found the basket four times in the paint for eight second-half points. Baskin scored seven in the final 20 minutes, totaling 13 points on the night. He also finished with 10 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals. This performance further demonstrates Baskin’s all-around value on the court.
Baskin acknowledged the team’s struggles in the first half but refused to make excuses despite the workload from the Maui Invitational.
“There’s no excuse for our defensive performance in the first half,” Baskin said. “We had two days of practice, and Coach Boyle warned us not to have a ‘Maui hangover,’ but we definitely had it. Our energy was a little bit off from the start, and I think that’s on us as older players to really get the guys locked in and be able to start the game on the right foot. I don’t think we did that properly today.”
Forward Trevor Baskin takes the ball downcourt during the game against Pacific at the CU Events Center on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
The home victory serves as a relief for the Buffaloes, who, despite mixing it up with strong teams at the Maui Invitational, are still working to find consistency. They will be relieved to know their next four matchups – against Colorado State University, South Dakota State University, Bellarmine University and No. 6 Iowa State University – will all take place in the CU Events Center, where the squad is undefeated.
The fourth and final game of this home stretch will serve as the beginning of Big 12 Conference play, as the Buffs will rematch with No. 6 Iowa State. In the Maui Invitational, the Cyclones defeated Colorado 99-71. Having already faced them this season should be helpful, but this matchup marks the start of a grueling conference schedule.
As the team continues to grow and improve each week, hopes are high that they can replicate their ability to rise above their opponents in closing moments.
Contact CU Independent basketball writer Wilson Georges at wilson.georges@colorado.edu
