Forward Alon Michaeli attempts to shoot during the game against California Baptist at the CU Events Center on Monday Dec. 1, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
The Colorado men’s basketball team (8-0) hosted California Baptist (7-1) on Monday, taking the game 78-70 . The matchup pitted two undefeated teams against each other, both standing at 7-0 prior to the game. Coming off a win against Washington in the Acrisure Holiday Classic title game last Friday, the Buffs looked to continue their hot start to the 2025-26 season .
Evidently, the momentum from last week’s two wins in Palm Springs did not follow Colorado back home. Looking sluggish from the start, the Buffs struggled to find clean looks against the Lancers’ physical defense. Despite California Baptist’s lack of name recognition, the team flexed raw athleticism, including front court duo 7’ 0 Bradey Henige and 6’ 10 Thomas Ndong.
Despite the size around him, the offense ran through 5’ 10 junior point guard Dominique Daniels Jr., who controlled the first quarter of the contest, putting up eight points in the first 10 minutes. Colorado point guard Barrington Hargress had the assignment on Daniels all night, a decision Colorado coach Tad Boyle made due to the two’s shared history.
“Barrington grew up with Dominique Daniels, they were on the same AAU team,” Boyle said. “They know each other’s games very well, so it probably made sense that he guarded Barrington and Barrington guarded him.”
Daniels’ early handle of the game and the Lancers’ Jordan Muller drawing an and-one on back-to-back possessions powered California Baptist to a 23-9 point lead with under 10 minutes remaining in the first half.
An early trend was Colorado’s primary ball handlers’ inability to create separation, draw switches and manufacture clean looks for 3-point shots. Colorado, a strong 3-point shooting team at 42.1% this season, failed to hit from deep until Sebastian Rančik was able to put one through almost 16 minutes into the game.
In fact, nearly 12 minutes into the game, Colorado’s only points on the floor came from two Elijah Malone baskets close to the hoop and free throws. It wasn’t until freshmen Isaiah Johnson and Alon Michaeli subbed in with under eight minutes in the half that Colorado broke the scoring seal.
Gaurd Isaiah Johnson shoots a free throw during the game against California Baptist at the CU Events Center on Monday Dec. 1, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
On consecutive possessions, Johnson finished strong at the rim then drew a foul, making both free throws, to put the score at 23-15. Minutes later, Rančik nailed Colorado’s first 3-pointer of the night. Michaeli and Johnson continued to produce for the Buffs, fueling a 16-7 Colorado run since the freshmen entered the game. With about a minute remaining in the half, Johnson finished at the rim yet again to tie it at 32, yet a last second contested bucket from the Lancers’ Martel Williams gave California Baptist a two-point lead going into the break.
With Boyle returning to his starting lineup, California Baptist was able to capitalize on the group’s lackluster performance on the night. Malone was off his game, turning the ball over, missing an easy layup and then launching a point-blank dunk off the rim during three straight possessions. Taking advantage, Cal Baptist’s lead grew to 41-34. Moments later, Malone was subbed out for Michaeli.
The freshman forward made an immediate impact, hitting a midrange jump shot on Colorado’s next offensive possession. And again, once Johnson subbed in, it was the freshman duo that anchored the Buffs’ offense, playing off each other to bring Colorado back and tie it at 48.
“We’re talking all the time off the court, where he likes the ball, he likes the ball in the pocket, pick and pop. We’re always communicating, even on the court,” Johnson said on his connection with Michaeli.
The Buffs were able to firmly establish control in the last 10 minutes of the game, putting together a 16-0 run. Forward Bangot Dak finally got involved in the action, scoring five of the 16 points, performing an acrobatic block in between and finishing the run with a corner three off an assist from Hargress. Hargress himself was active down the stretch, scoring six points in the final ten minutes, while holding Daniels scoreless for nearly nine minutes of gametime, stifling the Lancers’ only consistent source of offense.
Despite Daniels erupting for 11 points in the five minutes to cut the Colorado lead to four, it was too little, too late. A clutch jumper from guard Felix Kossaras secured Colorado’s two-possession lead and the Buffs made their free throws in the final minute to win the game, 78-70.
It was a well-rounded offensive effort, with Johnson, Michaeli, Hargress and Rančik all scoring in the double-digits. It is the first time the Buffs have begun the season 8-0 in 76 years.
Next up, Colorado will visit Fort Collins this Saturday, Dec. 6, to take on in-state rival, Colorado State University. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. MT and can be streamed live on Fubo.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Charlie Hewitt at charles.hewitt@colorado.edu.
