Despite a record-setting performance from freshman Isaiah Johnson, the Colorado Buffaloes lost 89-79 to No. 2-ranked Arizona on Saturday at the CU Events Center in Boulder. The defeat marks the end of Colorado’s regular season with a 17-14 overall record and a 7-11 finish in Big 12 conference play, placing them 11th in the league.
Arizona concluded its regular season atop the Big 12 standings at 29-2 overall and 16-2 in conference games.
Isaiah Johnson led Colorado with a career-high 28 points, surpassing Alec Burks’ previous single-season freshman scoring record set during the 2009-10 campaign. Johnson now holds the mark with 526 points this season. “It definitely means a lot,” Johnson said. “That’s not easy to come by, being able to break that record. I’m just thankful that my coaches and my teammates have been able to put me in that position.”
Other notable contributions for Colorado included Barrington Hargress with 13 points, two blocks, and two steals, while Jalin Holland added another 12 points.
Arizona was led by freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, who scored 31 and 25 points respectively. After trailing by as many as eleven points in the first half, Arizona narrowed the gap before halftime and took control after intermission by making four of five three-point attempts early in the second half—a significant change after failing to make any threes before halftime.
The Wildcats dominated inside throughout the game, outscoring Colorado by a margin of more than two-to-one on points in the paint (54 to Colorado’s 26). “We had to protect and defend the paint, and we didn’t do that,” head coach Tad Boyle said. “They scored 54 points in the paint, and that was the reason they won the game, and we didn’t. That’s really what it comes down to. It was our inability to do that.”
Senior Elijah Malone was recognized before tipoff as part of Senior Night activities. He played a season-high of 29 minutes—finishing with seven points and leading all players with eight rebounds. Boyle praised Malone’s approach: “The thing I like about Elijah is he gives you everything he’s got,” Boyle commented. “He’s pretty self-aware as a player, and he’s a team-first guy.” He’s helped guys this season, even though he hasn’t had the year he wanted. I’m really proud of Elijah Malone, the way he’s handled himself this year.”
Colorado will next compete as the No. 11 seed at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament held at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Tuesday against Oklahoma State.
