The No. 6 Colorado Buffaloes are now just two games away from winning the 2012 Pac-12 Tournament and gaining an automatic bid to the 2012 NCAA Tournament. They battled the No. 3 Oregon Ducks throughout the second half on Thursday night and came away with the victory on the final seconds, 63-62.
With roughly 7:30 left in the game, the Buffaloes held a 58-50 lead, but the Ducks went on a 10-0 run over the next five-plus minutes to take a 60-58 lead. Devoe Joseph increased the Ducks lead to 62-59 with 1:39 left in the game, but Carlon Brown made a layup to bring the game within one. The clock kept ticking down, but neither team could score -- until Andre Roberson made the game-winning layup with 13 seconds left on the clock. Joseph attempted a three at the buzzer but was off the mark.
Brown was the Buffs' leading scorer with 18 points, but Roberson put up a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Oregon did block seven Colorado shots and win the rebounding battle, 38-25. Joseph was second on the team with 12 points, but he was 0-for-7 from beyond the arc.
Colorado will play in the late game again when they face the No. 2 California Golden Bears on Friday night.
For more on the Buffaloes, visit Colorado blog Ralphie Report. Ducks news and analysis is available at Addicted To Quack. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Basketball for more news and notes around the college hoops world.
