Buffalo plays Colorado State at the Stan Sheriff Center (above) in title game
HONOLULU, HI Buffalo continued its late-game heroics on Monday night as the Bulls used a last second shot for the second straight night to advance to the championship game of the Outrigger Hotel Rainbow Classic.
This time it was a jumper by Calvin Betts who hit a floater with five-tenths of a second left to send the Bulls to a 62-60 victory over Colorado. It was UBs first ever victory over a Big 12 opponent, improving the Bulls to 7-4 on the season.
The Bulls led for the majority of the contest as UB kept its hot shooting from Sunday in the first half. The Bulls led by as many as 13 points in the opening half, but Colorado kept it tight as the Bulls went into the half up 38-29.
UB continued to lead for much of the second half until Colorado went on a run and tied it for the first time since early in the first half with 5:15 left. The Bulls again claimed the lead by scoring the next four points, but Colorado would not go away scoring the next four points, tying the game up at 60 with 12 seconds left.
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| Calvin Betts (above) hit the game-winner for the Bulls (file photo) |
Colorado used a timeout following that play to set its defense, but the Bulls ran their play and got the ball to Betts, who drove the lane and put up a floating jumper, which fell with five-tenths of a second left. Colorado called another timeout, but its final pass was knocked down by Betts.
It was good for our guys to finish on the positive side of these types of the games for the second straight night, said head coach Reggie Witherspoon. Not everything went our way, but our guys fought through the adversity to come out on top.
Senior Andy Robinson, who hit the game winner against Pepperdine in the opener, led the Bulls with 16 points, including 12 of those in the first half. Robinson had three steals in the opening half, which led to six easy transition points. Robinson also threw down a monster dunk in the second half. Robinson also finished with five rebounds.
Betts finished with 15 points, two assists and two steals as he finished in double figures for the second straight night. Freshman Titus Robinson tied his career high with eight points, which he set last night. Junior Rodney Pierce added nine points, four rebounds and an assist.
Colorado (7-4) was led by four players in double figures, including 15 points from Cory Higgins. Nate Tomlinson added 13 points.
The Bulls wrap up play at the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic tomorrow night in the Championship Game against Colorado State. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm local time and 12:30 am ET.
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