ORLANDO >> Following a listless loss last week at Arizona State, the Colorado men’s basketball team certainly played with improved intensity in its first Big 12 trip to Central Florida. In the end, however, it was a familiar turnover habit that kept the Buffaloes from picking up a road win.

CU kicked away a golden opportunity with a glut of turnovers, particularly in the second half, as Central Florida rallied to top the Buffs 75-74 on Wednesday night at Addition Financial Arena.

Colorado led by 10 after a Bangot Dak 3-pointer with 14 minutes, 16 seconds remaining, but the Buffs went over six minutes before converting another field goal while piling up seven turnovers during that span. UCF took advantage with 12-0 run and took a four-point lead with less than 5 minutes remaining.

The Buffs recaptured the lead with four consecutive free throws from Julian Hammond III, and Hammond added a three-point play moments later that gave CU a 74-71 lead with 3:01 to go. The game was tied 74-74 after two free throws from UCF’s Keyshawn Hall with 1:09 remaining, and on CU’s next possession the Buffs had two chances at the rim that went awry.

UCF took its final lead on a Deebo Coleman free throw with 33.5 seconds left. CU (9-5, 0-3 Big 12) had several chances around the rim in the waning seconds but couldn’t convert.

Hammond led the Buffs with a career-high 26 points, and Andrej Jakimovski ended a recent shooting slump with four 3-pointers and 16 points. CU finished with a season-high 22 turnovers.

The Buffs played without fourth-year guard Javon Ruffin, who was sidelined by the stomach bug that has worked its way through the CU locker room. CU is back in action at home on Sunday against No. 21 West Virginia (1 p.m., ESPN+).