It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but Tad Boyle’s youthful Colorado squad did enough in the closing minutes to secure a 79–70 victory after nearly letting a sizable lead slip away.
Colorado appeared in full control for much of the night, building a commanding 22-point advantage. However, a defensive lapse late in the first half allowing an uncontested layup on an inbounds play helped Kansas State trim the margin to single digits heading into halftime. The Wildcats continued to chip away in the second half, cutting the deficit to just three points with under two minutes to play.
In crunch time, key defensive stops proved decisive. Bangot Dak and Sebastian Rancik delivered back-to-back blocks on consecutive possessions, forcing Isaiah Johnson to the free-throw line and helping the Buffaloes regain control.
1. Ian Inman Finds His Rhythm
Freshman Ian Inman provided a major spark off the bench, knocking down three first-half three-pointers to energize Colorado early. He finished with a season-high 17 points in 19 minutes, shooting an efficient 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Inman accounted for 17 of the team’s 21 bench points, signaling growing confidence and development.
2. Clutch Defense Seals the Win
Defense carried Colorado through the final stretch. Dak and Rancik’s late blocks halted Kansas State’s momentum, while Dak finished with four rejections as part of Colorado’s seven total blocks. He also contributed 10 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes, delivering an impactful two-way performance.
3. Balanced Production Offsets Late Scare
Despite nearly surrendering their large lead, Colorado showcased a well-rounded effort. Four of the five starters scored in double figures, with Isaiah Johnson leading the way with 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting. He nearly posted a triple-double, adding nine rebounds and seven assists.
The Buffaloes also controlled the glass, outrebounding Kansas State 43–36 for a +7 margin. With the win, Colorado doubled its conference victory total from last season, improving from three league wins to six.
Looking ahead, Colorado has three regular-season games remaining, including challenging matchups on the road at Houston Cougars men’s basketball and against Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball both ranked among the nation’s top five.
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