DAYTON, Ohio — Tristan da Silva scored 20 points and Colorado won its first NCAA Tournament game in three years, wrapping up the First Four with a sloppy 60-53 win over Boise State on Wednesday night.
A layup by Eddie Lampkin Jr. and a pair of foul shots from J’Vonne Hadley capped an 11-0 run that gave the Buffaloes a 56-49 lead with 24 seconds left in what had been a back-and-forth game.
Boise State had to start fouling and Colorado didn’t miss from the line — and that sealed it.
Tristan da Silva, who scored 20 points, reacts from the bench during Colorado’s 60-53 First Four win over Boise State. AP KJ Simpson had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Buffaloes (25-10), who advanced as a No. 10 seed to face seventh-seeded Florida in Indianapolis on Friday.
Chibuzo Agbo had 17 points for Boise State (23-11), who dropped to 0-10 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
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The start was lethargic for both teams, who had combined for just 25 points at the 10-minute mark of the first half.
Boise State went up by six late in the half, but Colorado cut it to 26-24 at the break.
KJ Simpson drives to the basket during Colorado’s win. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Boise State was 1 for 10 from 3-point range in the first half, while the Buffs were just 1 of 8 from long range.
Colorado will board the bus for an easy two-hour ride west on Interstate 70 to Indianapolis, where they will play Florida at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday.
