Booker's Run Sparks 78-71 Victory Over Beavers

For the fourth straight season, Colorado advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Pac-12 Tournament, with a 78-71 win over Oregon State.

Askia Booker caught fire around the ten minute mark, sparking a 13-2 run that proved to be the decisive turn of momentum. Before the run, Booker had not hit a field goal, though he had scored 8 points on free throws from his trademark up-fake and draw the foul move.

After hitting his seventh and eighth free throws of the night, the Colorado full-court press turned OSU over. Booker knocked down his first shot of the game on the ensuing possession - a three, giving Colorado their first lead of the second half at 55-52.

On the very next possession, Booker hit another three, to put the Buffs up four. After a Dustin Thomas layup and another Booker three, Colorado held a 63-54 lead - a lead they would never relinquish.

Four Buffs finished in double figures. Booker led the way with 20 points, Josh Scott had 16, with 12 coming in the first half. Scott also grabbed 14 rebounds. Tre'Shaun Fletcher tallied a career-high 12 points, and Thomas finished with 10.

With the win, Colorado improves to an impressive 8-2 all-time in the Pac-12 Tournament, augmented of course by their 4-0 run through Los Angeles in 2012.

Colorado will play second-seeded Oregon tomorrow at 7 p.m. MST.