National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Colorado 77, Iowa St. 75
When: 3:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Where: Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Officials: # Darron George, # Kipp Kissinger, # Joe DeRosa
Attendance: 18910

Alec Burks scored 29 points, including seven during a key stretch late in the game, and Colorado came back to beat Iowa State 77-75 in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday at Sprint Center.

Neither team led by more than six, and the Cyclones matched that margin by pushing it to 70-64 with three minutes left. But Burks, who also grabbed 15 rebounds, scored seven points during a 10-2 run that gave Colorado the lead for good, leading to a victory the Buffaloes desperately needed to solidify their case for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Buffaloes (20-12, 8-8 Big 12) overcame a career- high 33 points from Cyclones guard Jake Anderson and 19 from Diante Garrett.

The Cyclones (16-16, 3-13 Big 12) led 28-26 at halftime after going 4 for 10 from 3-point range, but were only 3 for 13 from beyond the arc after halftime.

After shooting 36.7 percent (11 for 30) in the first half, the Buffaloes heated up and hit 16 of 28 (57.1 percent) in the second half. Burks led the way, scoring 25 of his 29 in the second half.

Colorado freshman Andre Roberson grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds to go with nine points, and Cory Higgins scored 16 for the Buffaloes, who take on Kansas State on Thursday in the quarterfinals.
Top Game Performances
 
Iowa St.   Colorado
Darion Anderson 33 Scoring Alec Burks 29
Diante Garrett 6 Assists Alec Burks 6
Calvin Godfrey 8 Rebounds Alec Burks 15
Diante Garrett 6 Free Throws Made Alec Burks 11
Calvin Godfrey 3 Steals Alec Burks 3
Calvin Godfrey 4 Blocks Alec Burks 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Iowa St. 75 38.4 7-23 12-18 13 33 4 9
Colorado 77 46.6 4-13 19-24 14 46 3 4