Colorado Buffaloes sophomore guard, Felix Kossaras playing agaisnt Grace College on Saturday, Oct. 19th, 2025. (Remi Krupinski/ CU Independent)
The University of Colorado men’s basketball team had an impressive second half as they came back to defeat the Grace College Lancers, 92-66, in their pre-season exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 19 at the CU Events Center.
Prior to the start of the school year, the Buffaloes wrapped up their exhibition tour in Australia with a 2-2 record, with wins against the Gold Coast Rollers and Hoop City and falling short to the Sydney Kings and the Boomers, Australia’s mens national team. With six freshmen and two transfers on the roster, these scrimmages allow the young group to build chemistry before entering Big 12 play.
The first half proved slow and the Buffs struggled to find their rhythm, committing seven turnovers and allowing the Lancers to set the tone with an aggressive offensive approach coming to a 37-34 lead at halftime.
However, that all changed in the second half as the Buffaloes tightened up defensively and found their flow on offense, out-scoring the Lancers 58-29 over the final 20 minutes. Colorado dominated in the paint, putting up 46 points inside while holding Grace College to 24.
Colorado Buffaloes junior guard, Barrington Hargress shooting agaisnt Grace College on Saturday, Oct. 19th, 2025. (Remi Krupinski/ CU Independent)
Freshmen Isaiah Johnson, Jalin Holland and Alon Michaeli played a major role in sparking the Buffs’ takeover. Johnson led Colorado with 21 points, shooting 7 of 10 from the field and knocking down four 3-pointers with two steals. Holland followed with 14 points, four assists and three steals. Michaeli brought energy off the bench, contributing 11 points, five rebounds and two steals. Every player got an opportunity to play and the bench combined for a total of 40 points.
Grace College junior Ian Raasch led the Lancers with 13 points on 6 of 11 shooting and grabbed nine total rebounds. Freshman Michael Wellman contributed 13 points, three rebounds and an assist. Tyler Raasch anchored the defense with four blocks, two steals and three rebounds.
While it was a slow start, the Buffs got going in the second half, ending with 15 turnovers and a .508 mark.
“First half [was] awful, non-existent…there was no identity on defense,” Colorado head coach Tad Boyle said postgame. “[The] second half I thought Alon [Michaeli] did really a good job, he got two steals and turned them into dunks and that I want our guys to understand the defense can energize the offense”
The Buffaloes will host their season opener against the Montana State Bobcats on Monday, Nov. 3 at the CU Events Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. MT and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Rodas Tewelde at rodas.tewelde@colorado.edu.
