The Aztecs hold Colorado to 17 in a half and win the first Bill Walton Classic, 77-66
San Diego State beat Colorado 77-66 on Saturday afternoon at Pechanga Arena in the inaugural Bill Walton Classic, the first meeting of the two programs in 50 years. Chance Gladden scored 20 points and Latrell Davis 18, and the Aztecs withstood a Colorado career high 33 from Barrington Hargress and a second half rally that cut an 18 point lead to eight.
SAN DIEGO: San Diego State beat Colorado 77-66 on Saturday afternoon at Pechanga Arena, in the first Bill Walton Classic and the first meeting between the two programs in 50 years. The event honored Walton in his hometown of San Diego, and the Aztecs marked it by taking the lead inside the first two minutes and never giving it back.
Colorado scored the game's first basket, a drive by Josiah Sanders, and San Diego State answered with seven straight points, Tae Simmons tying the game and Latrell Davis hitting a three pointer for a 5-2 lead. The Aztecs built the margin behind runs of 7-0, 8-0 and 9-0, and Colorado's shooting never warmed: the Buffaloes made 6 of 30 shots in the first half, 1 of 12 from three point range, and trailed 35-17 at halftime, down by as many as 18.
Seventeen points in a half
The 17 points were the fewest San Diego State have allowed in a first half since December 21, 2024, when they held California to 18 at the SAP Center in San Jose. The Aztecs outrebounded Colorado 24-17 in the half and forced seven turnovers that became six points. For the game they shot 48.9 percent from the field and 53.3 percent from long distance, with Chance Gladden scoring 20 points and Davis 18.
Hargress brings Colorado back, to a point
Colorado came out running. Jalin Holland opened the second half with a steal and a fast break dunk, and Barrington Hargress scored the Buffaloes' next eight points, including two three pointers. With 16:11 to play the margin was eight, 37-29, as close as Colorado would get. Colorado shot 55.6 percent in the second half and outscored San Diego State 49-42 after the break.
San Diego State answered with back-to-back three pointers from Isaiah Sy and Davis to restore a double digit lead, and Davis hit his third three pointer of the half to make it 64-48. Colorado pressed for the last three and a half minutes and lost graduate forward Justin Neely to his fifth foul, and Gladden, who went 10 of 11 at the free throw line, helped close the game out.
Hargress finished with a game high 33 points, a career high at Colorado, and five three pointers, and he was the only Buffalo in double figures. Colorado forced 20 turnovers, made 12 steals and scored 28 points off the turnovers, but the Buffaloes also committed 23 fouls and made only 15 of 25 free throws.
"The atmosphere was great," Colorado coach Tad Boyle said. "Honoring Bill Walton was something that we were honored to do, and honored to be asked to do. I know how influential he was to San Diego and this community." Of his team's first road test, Boyle said: "We sure didn't handle it very well, and that's where we have to do better. That's a wake up call. That's what you need early in the season, because you don't get these opportunities back."
San Diego State are 2-0 after the 102-78 opening win over Cal State Fullerton, and they return to Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena to host Bethune-Cookman in their next game. Colorado are 1-1, and the Buffaloes host the University of San Diego on Tuesday, November 10, at the CU Events Center.
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