Simpson scores 23, makes key plays in Colorado's 64-59 victory over Richmond at Sunshine Slam
Cody Williams with the steal-and-score for Colorado
Colorado's Cody Williams snags a steal from the Spiders and takes it up for a layup.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- — KJ Simpson scored 23 points and made a number of key plays in the second half, leading No. 18 Colorado to a 64-59 victory over Richmond at the Sunshine Slam on Monday night.
In a game that was already low-scoring, the Spiders managed just two points in a stretch of 3 minutes, 40 seconds after Simpson made two free throws that gave Colorado a 54-51 lead with four minutes remaining. The Buffaloes extended their lead to 62-53 before Isaiah Bigelow hit a 3-pointer for Richmond with 19 seconds left.
J'Vonne Hadley made two foul shots for Colorado with 12 seconds to go for a 64-56 lead and Richmond's Jordan King wrapped up the scoring with a 3-pointer.
The game had been tight throughout, with Colorado's 62-53 advantage the largest lead of the second half. Richmond led twice in the second half, the second time when King made two free throws for a 44-42 lead near the nine-minute mark. Simpson made one free throw on Colorado's next possession and his 3-pointer seconds later gave Colorado the lead for good.
Simpson made 6 of 11 field goals and 9 of 10 from the line for Colorado (4-0). Tristan da Silva added 15 points with eight rebounds.
King had 20 points and seven rebounds and Dji Bailey scored 11 points off the bench for Richmond (2-2).
Colorado scored the first six points of the game, but Richmond tied it at 13 on a 3-pointer by Bigelow at the midway point. Simpson followed with a 3-pointer and the Buffaloes went up 22-15 on the way to a 28-25 halftime advantage.
Colorado will play Florida State for the championship on Tuesday and Richmond will face UNLV for third place.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Mark Schnur
- Kellen Milliner
- De Selle Dean
2024-25 Big 12 Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Arizona State | 0-0 | - | 8-1 |
Iowa State | 0-0 | - | 7-1 |
Cincinnati | 0-0 | - | 7-1 |
Colorado | 0-0 | - | 7-2 |
Kansas | 0-0 | - | 7-2 |
Texas Tech | 0-0 | - | 7-2 |
UCF | 0-0 | - | 7-2 |
West Virginia | 0-0 | - | 6-2 |
BYU | 0-0 | - | 6-2 |
Oklahoma State | 0-0 | - | 6-2 |
Utah | 0-0 | - | 6-2 |
Kansas State | 0-0 | - | 6-3 |
Baylor | 0-0 | - | 5-3 |
Houston | 0-0 | - | 5-3 |
TCU | 0-0 | - | 5-4 |
Arizona | 0-0 | - | 4-4 |
2024-25 Atlantic 10 Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Rhode Island | 0-0 | - | 9-0 |
Loyola Chicago | 0-0 | - | 8-0 |
St. Bonaventure | 0-0 | - | 9-1 |
Dayton | 0-0 | - | 8-2 |
George Washington | 0-0 | - | 8-2 |
VCU | 0-0 | - | 7-2 |
Davidson | 0-0 | - | 6-2 |
George Mason | 0-0 | - | 7-3 |
Saint Joseph's | 0-0 | - | 6-3 |
Saint Louis | 0-0 | - | 6-3 |
La Salle | 0-0 | - | 6-4 |
Fordham | 0-0 | - | 6-5 |
Richmond | 0-0 | - | 4-5 |
Massachusetts | 0-0 | - | 3-7 |
Duquesne | 0-0 | - | 2-7 |