BOULDER, Colo. – Colorado’s return to Big 12 conference play featured a spirited effort against No. 3 Iowa State, but turnovers and second-chance points ultimately led to a 79-69 loss on Monday night at the CU Events Center.

The defeat dropped the Buffaloes to 9-3 overall and 0-1 in Big 12 action, while the Cyclones improved to 11-1 with their eighth straight win.

Early Fight and Mid-Game Surge

Colorado opened the game with intensity, jumping to a quick 5-0 lead and later using a 10-2 run to pull ahead 23-19 midway through the first half. Julian Hammond III paced the Buffs with 21 points on 9-for-17 shooting, complemented by RJ Smith’s 14 points and Bangot Dak’s eight rebounds.

However, turnovers and Iowa State’s relentless offensive rebounding shifted momentum late in the half. The Buffs’ 12 first-half turnovers led to 13 Cyclone points, while Iowa State dominated the boards with nine offensive rebounds that resulted in 12 second-chance points. Colorado trailed 37-31 at halftime.

Second-Half Push Stalls

The Buffs roared back early in the second half, erasing a 12-point deficit with a thrilling 22-5 run. Back-to-back three-pointers from Smith and key baskets from Hammond and Trevor Baskin helped Colorado build a 53-48 lead with just over 13 minutes to play.

But Iowa State’s defense took over, and Colorado’s offense hit a cold streak. The Buffs managed only two points during a crucial six-minute stretch, while the Cyclones capitalized with second-chance opportunities and clutch free throws.

Curtis Jones led Iowa State with 20 points, while the Cyclones’ 20 offensive rebounds generated 21 second-chance points. Despite cutting the deficit to one at 64-63 with five minutes remaining, Colorado couldn’t close the gap. Iowa State responded with a 6-0 run and an 8-0 burst in the final three minutes to secure the win.

Head coach Tad Boyle acknowledged his team’s effort but emphasized the areas that cost Colorado a chance at the upset.

“We had the answer to this test before the test,” Boyle said. “Second-chance points, points off turnovers—they have 20 offensive rebounds, and we turn it over 19 times. Somehow, we stayed in the game until the end, but we didn’t do what we knew we had to do to beat this team.”

Key Takeaways

• Missed Opportunities: Colorado’s 19 turnovers led to 24 Iowa State points, and the Cyclones’ offensive rebounding dominance proved decisive.

• Efficient Shooting Overshadowed: The Buffs shot 49% from the field but couldn’t overcome their mistakes.

• Hammond Leads the Way: Julian Hammond III continues to be a bright spot, delivering a strong all-around performance.

What’s Next?

The Buffaloes hit the road to face Arizona State on Saturday at 4 p.m., aiming to secure their first Big 12 win.

While the result wasn’t what Colorado hoped for, their performance showed they have the potential to compete with the Big 12’s top teams.