Buffs pull away from Cal State Fullerton

CU MEN 83, CAL STATE FULLERTON 53

Colorado’s Julian Hammond III, right, drives to the basket around Cal State’s John Mikey Square, left, at the CU Events Center in Boulder on Wednesday. MATTHEW JONAS — DAILY CAMERA

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By Pat Rooney

BuffZone.com

It wasn’t quite the complete performance the Colorado men’s basketball team is looking for.

But the Buffaloes certainly took a step forward to start the second week of the regular season.

The Buffs improved to 3-0 on the young season with a solid 83-53 victory against Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday night at the CU Events Center. CU never trailed but didn’t shake the Titans until the second half, when the Buffs scored the first seven points before steadily pulling away.

The Buffs enjoyed the best 3-point effort of the season, finishing 12-for-27 from the arc while recording a season-high 22 assists. Cal State Fullerton shot .440 in the first half, but the Buffs held the Titans to a .212 mark after halftime. Fullerton finished just 2-for-17 on 3-pointers, going 0-for-8 in the second half.

CU outscored the Titans 48-24 in the second half. The Buffs also outrebounded Fullerton 38-28.

Washington State graduate transfer Andrej Jakimovski matched a career-high with five 3-pointers, finishing with a team-high 17 points. CU guard Julian Hammond III added 11 points and four assists without committing a turnover, and center Elijah Malone went 4-for-5 with nine points, four rebounds and three assists. Freshman Sebastian Rancik enjoyed a late flurry to finish with 13 points.

CU completes its season-opening homestand on Sunday against Harvard before beginning preparations for the first road trip of the season, a three-game run at the Maui Invitational that begins against Michigan State on Nov. 25.