Tad Boyle said there would be growing pains. And, last week, Colorado’s head coach said he wanted his new-look Buffaloes squad to learn through winning.
Opening night proved to one long growing pain for a team working in 10 players who had never previously logged a minute for the Buffs. But, indeed, at least Colorado can review all the shortcomings with a win in the books.
Freshman Isaiah Johnson put on a show during the second half, and Colorado survived a Montana State upset bid, defeating the Bobcats 84-78 in the season opener.
The Buffs’ defense lagged, allowing Montana State to shoot .518, but Johnson saved the Buffs down the stretch, scoring all 24 of his points after halftime. Johnson scored 12 of CU’s final 14 points, including the go-ahead free throws with 52.6 seconds remaining.
This story will be updated
Colorado 84, Montana State 78
MONTANA STATE (0-1)
Hodges 4-6 0-3 8, King 3-10 2-2 10, Holden 5-11 2-2 14, McMahon 10-13 3-3 24, Miller 3-6 3-3 10, Mbatch 1-1 3-4 5, Brown 2-4 0-0 5, Davis 0-1 0-0 0, Steppe 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 29-55 13-17 78.
COLORADO (1-0)
Dak 5-8 2-3 12, Rancik 3-9 6-7 13, Malone 2-3 6-9 10, Hargress 5-11 1-2 11, Kossaras 3-5 2-2 8, Johnson 6-9 10-12 24, Holland 1-3 0-0 2, Sanders 2-3 0-4 4, Inman 0-1 0-0 0, Ifaola 0-0 0-0 0, Crawford 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-52 27-39 84.
Halftime: Montana State 33-32. 3-point field goals: Montana State 7-20 (Holden 2-5, King 2-5, McMahon 1-1, Brown 1-2, Miller 1-4, Davis 0-1, Steppe 0-2); Colorado 3-12 (Johnson 2-3, Rancik 1-4, Holland 0-1, Inman 0-1, Sanders 0-1, Dak 0-2). Fouled out: Mbatch. Rebounds: Montana State 26 (Hodges, McMahon, Miller 4), Colorado 33 (Malone 13). Assists: Montana State 7 (Holden 3), Colorado 17 (Malone 5). Turnovers: Montana State 11 (King 3); Colorado 9 (Johnson 3). Total fouls: Montana State 27, Colorado 18. A: 5,771.