Why the Buffs won: CU dominated in all facets, holding Bellarmine to a .396 shooting percentage and outrebounding the Knights 38-30.

Three stars

1. Assane Diop. Shot the Buffs into the lead early before finishing 7-for-11 with a career-high 15 points.

2. RJ Smith. The third-year guard continued his torrid shooting, going 3-for-4 on 3-pointers before finishing with 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

3. Julian Hammond III. The senior guard turned in another steady performance, recording 10 points, five assists and a season-high four steals.

Up next: The Buffs will be off until reconvening for practice on Dec. 26 ahead of the Big 12 Conference opener on Dec. 30 at home against No. 3 Iowa State (7 p.m., CBS Sports Network).