Colorado starters combine for 72 points in a 90-68 victory over Northern Colorado

BOULDER, Colo. -- — KJ Simpson had 21 points and five steals, J’Vonne Hadley added 15 points and six assists, and Colorado eased by Northern Colorado 90-68 on Friday night.

Colorado went ahead by double-figures for good during a 16-3 run to close the first half for a 48-27 lead. Tristan da Silva, Julian Hammond III and Simpson each had a 3-pointer during the run.

The Buffaloes led by as many as 36 points, 70-34, in the second half. Colorado, ranking in the top 10 nationally in all three percentage categories, shot 49% from the field, 33% behind the arc and 85% at the free-throw line.

The Colorado starters combined for 72 points. Luke O’Brien scored 14 points, Da Silva added 12 and Eddie Lampkin Jr. had 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Colorado (8-2), which has won three straight and improved to 6-0 at home this season. Hammond added 10 points off the bench.

Cody Williams, averaging 14 points per game, did not play for Colorado due to a wrist injury.

Saint Thomas led Northern Colorado (4-6) with 27 points and nine rebounds. Theo Hughes added 14 points. Dejour Reaves, averaging 16.8 points per game and Brock Wisne (12.2) were each held to six points.

Northern Colorado has lost 12 straight in the 42-game series with the Buffaloes.

Colorado, which was coming off a 90-63 win over then-No. 15 Miami (Fla.), remains home to host Utah Tech on Thursday before opening Pac-12 play against Washington on Dec. 29.

---- Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here ------ AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball