Arizona State vs Colorado: Buffaloes beat Sun Devils 78-70 last night

Colorado just handed Arizona State a crushing 78-70 loss in their Big 12 rematch last night. Barrington Hargress led the charge with 23 points, while Sebastian Rancik recorded his first career double-double. The Buffaloes controlled the game for 34 minutes, and Arizona State couldn’t recover despite a valiant fourth-quarter push.

Hargress Takes Control in Crucial Fourth Quarter

Barrington Hargress was absolutely clutch when Colorado needed him most. After Arizona State stormed back with a 13-2 run to take a two-point lead with 16 minutes left, Hargress erupted for 10 points in seven minutes to seize control. His scoring burst swung momentum decisively in the Buffaloes’ favor.

The guard’s efficiency was remarkable, converting 10 of 15 shots from the field. He anchored Colorado’s late-game execution when ASU desperately tried to claw back. Hargress also dished out 4 assists, proving his value went beyond pure scoring.

Rancik’s Rebound Dominance Proves Game-Changing

Sebastian Rancik delivered a breakthrough performance off the bench for the Buffaloes. His 11-rebound haul marked a career-high and highlighted Colorado’s suffocating approach on the boards. Rancik also chipped in 17 points, creating a complete game.

The paint battle told the story: Colorado dominated with 42 points in the paint versus Arizona State’s modest 26. This 16-point disparity proved decisive when every possession mattered in the fourth quarter.

Game Momentum and Key Statistics

Colorado’s shooting was clinical, converting 31 of 61 attempts from the floor. Arizona State managed only 23 of 57, a tell-tale sign of their inability to match the Buffaloes’ pace and pressure. The 10-point shooting gap reflected Colorado’s superior ball movement and defensive intensity.

Coach Tad Boyle emphasized the difference: the bench couldn’t overcome their disadvantage despite Maurice Odum’s solid 23-point effort for ASU. Colorado’s balanced scoring with Isaiah Johnson adding 16 points and Bangot Dak contributing 12 proved decisive.

What Went Wrong for the Sun Devils Down the Stretch

Arizona State showed resilience but ultimately ran out of answers in the final minutes. Their 13-2 run brought them within shouting distance, yet Colorado’s response was swift and suffocating. ISU shot only 40.4 percent overall and couldn’t generate enough second chances.

The rebounding deficit haunted them throughout: down 14 total boards for the game proved insurmountable. Points in the paint told the story of a Sun Devils team that couldn’t establish inside presence against Colorado’s frontcourt rotation.

Did Colorado prove they can compete in the Big 12 despite their conference struggles?

The Buffaloes improved to 14-10 overall, 4-7 in Big 12 play with this crucial home victory. This win signals that Colorado can still execute when healthy and focused at home. Coach Boyle’s squad showed they belong in tight conference matchups when playing sharp fundamentally sound basketball.

Arizona State dropped to 12-12 overall and 3-8 in conference play, putting further pressure on their postseason hopes. For The Buffaloes, this statement win at the CU Events Center could spark a critical late-season run if they can maintain this intensity on the road against ranked opponents like Texas Tech and BYU.

Sources

• ESPN – Complete game recap and box scores with player statistics
• University of Colorado Athletics – Official post-game press release and coach quotes
• ASU Sun Devil Athletics – Official Arizona State game summary and analysis

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.