Wright’s buzzer 3 a winner for Buffs

CU MEN 70, QUINNIPIAC 69

LYNCHBURG, VA.» If all goes according to plan for McKinley Wright and the talented freshman class of the Colorado men’s basketball team, there will be far more memorable wins in their future than a one-point decision against Quinnipiac.

Still, in terms of pure thrills, this one will be difficult to top.

The Buffaloes put together a historic comeback at the Vines Center on Friday night in the first round of the Paradise Jam, rallying from a 13point deficit with less than four minutes remaining to stun Quinnipiac with a 70-69 victory. Wright, playing just his third college game, knocked down a 3-pointer at the buzzer to spark the celebration.

It was biggest comeback in the final five minutes of a game in the history of the CU program, topping a 12-point rally the Buffs put together in 1981 against Wyoming. CU will play Drake in a semifinal Saturday.

“I am proud of our team for their fight and their resiliency, and I’ve said that from Day One with this team,” CU coach Tad Boyle said.

The comeback began inauspiciously when senior Dom Collier hit two free throws with 3:59 remaining, but Quinnipiac still led 66-58 with 1:33 remaining.

Consecutive baskets by CU’s Namon Wright — including a steal and highlight-reel, open-court dunk — got the Buffs within four with a minute to go.

Two Quinnipiac free throws followed by another putback basket from Namon Wright kept CU within four with 24.8 seconds left. McKinley Wright recorded a steal and connected on a 3-pointer to get the Buffs within one with 14.4 left.

The Bobcats’ Rich Kelly made one free throw with nine seconds to go, and when he missed the second Quinnipiac was able to get the offensive rebound.

The Bobcats’ Alain Chigha inexplicably missed both free throws with seven seconds left, giving Wright an opportunity to go coastto-coast and launch his winning 3pointer.