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CU basketball takes down No. 2 Arizona in huge upset

The Buffs knocked off the second-ranked team in the country with a 79-63 upset on Saturday night.
Credit: AP
Colorado forward Tristan da Silva, top, celebrates with teammates as time runs out in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

BOULDER, Colo — The court at the CU Events Center was stormed Saturday night in an upset nobody saw coming.

The CU men's basketball team, which was dealt a disappointing loss just two days prior, shocked the college basketball world with a 79-63 upset over No. 2 Arizona at home in front of a sellout crowd of 11,079 people in attendance.

The win was the Buffs' first victory against an AP top-2 team since 1992.

It was just the second loss in Pac-12 play this season for the Wildcats, who entered the game 15-1 in conference matchups.

Colorado trailed by just 5 points at halftime, but returned from the break by shooting 65.5 percent from the field while holding Arizona to just 37 percent in the second half. A four-minute scoring drought for the Wildcats also helped the Buffs take control.

"Boy, the difference between just two nights is incredible," head coach Tad Boyle said in his post-game press conference. "Our energy level on offense and defense tonight was off the charts...They're (Arizona) legit."

Tristan da Silva led the way with a game-high 19 points. Jabari Walker and Keeshawn Barthelemy both scored 15 points. Evan Battey and KJ Simpson also reched double figured with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

CU improves to 19-10 overall on the season, with an 11-8 mark in conference play.

Credit: AP
Fans rush the floor after Colorado's victory over Arizona in an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 26 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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