The Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball team began its exhibition tour in Australia with an impressive victory, defeating Hoop City 92-82 in Melbourne. The game took place in the early hours of Saturday morning, Colorado time, marking a strong start to their international trip.
The Buffaloes showcased their offensive prowess, shooting an impressive 54% from the field and racking up 20 assists throughout the game. Sophomore forward Sebastian Rancik led the scoring with a standout performance, finishing with 25 points on 7-for-13 shooting and an exceptional 8-for-9 from the free-throw line. Sixth-year center Elijah Malone also made significant contributions, scoring 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting and securing a team-high eight rebounds.
New point guard Barrington Hargress, who transferred from UC Riverside, added to the team’s success with 11 points and a team-leading four assists. Freshman Jalin Holland contributed with seven points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while fellow freshman Josiah Sanders chipped in with 10 points.
CU head coach Tad Boyle praised his team’s effort despite the challenges posed by jet lag. He noted, “The guys played extremely hard, especially with their bodies in extreme jet lag. Our defensive pressure made the difference. We did not guard the three-point line well, but we competed our tails off.”
The Buffaloes will spend five days in the Gold Coast as part of their exhibition tour. Their next game is scheduled against the Gold Coast All-Stars on Tuesday at 3 a.m. MT. The highlight of the trip will be a matchup against the Australian Boomers, the country’s national team, on Thursday at 2:30 a.m. MT. This game will be available for viewing on ESPN+.
As the Buffaloes continue their international journey, their performance against Hoop City sets a promising tone for the remaining games in Australia. Fans and followers will be keen to see how the team adapts and grows in the upcoming challenges.
