Miller, Scott lead Colorado to 95-53 win over Hampton
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) The emergence of reserve Tory Miller couldn't come at a better time. The player in front of him just hurt his knee.
Hopefully nothing serious for Wesley Gordon, of course, but should Miller need to log more minutes or grab more boards, he's certainly ready.
Miller scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Josh Scott added 21 and Colorado cruised to its 10th straight win, 95-53 over Hampton on Saturday night in a game that was part of the Las Vegas Classic.
''The one thing we know Tory bring us is energy and effort every night,'' Colorado coach Tad Boyle said. ''He makes things happen out there.''
That could come in handy after Gordon banged up his knee and didn't play in the second half. Boyle is hoping it's nothing that some rest and ice can't cure, especially since the Buffaloes (10-1) head to Las Vegas to finish out the tournament. They face Penn State on Tuesday and then either Kent State or No. 18 SMU. Hampton (4-5) plays Nicholls on Tuesday.
Colorado didn't look the least bit sluggish a night after rallying to beat Nicholls. George King had 12 points as the Buffs tied their fifth-longest win streak in school history. Their longest is 14 straight in 1941-42.
''I wish they could all be like that,'' Boyle said.
Another history note for the Buffs: This marked the first time they've played two straight nights at home since December 1994 during the Mile High Classic.
Brian Darden had 16 points for Hampton, which suffered its second straight lopsided defeat. The Pirates fell 105-72 at SMU on Thursday.
''Are we happy with the way we played? No,'' Hampton coach Edward Joyner Jr. said. ''I give Colorado all the credit in the world - they made shots. ... We looked a step slow.
''We might not enjoy Vegas as much after a loss like this.''
Leading by 17 at halftime, Colorado kept its foot on the accelerator and led by as many as 46 points in the second half. Scott and his fellow starters watched the finish from the bench.
With Miller guiding the way, Colorado had a 45-10 advantage in scoring off the bench. Asked what is driving him, Miller simply responded, ''a chip on my shoulder.''
''Just playing mad,'' Miller added. ''When I play mad and channel it the right way, I typically channel it toward the boards and everything else takes care of itself.''
A night after a less-than-stellar defensive performance against Nicholls, Boyle vowed to call several of his players early in the morning and make them watch film with him.
One of them was Scott.
Whatever Boyle said certainly resonated, with Colorado holding Hampton to 32.3 percent shooting from the floor. The Buffaloes limited the damage of Quinton Chievous and Reginald Johnson Jr., who combined for 23 points. Together, the tandem was averaging 35.2 a game.
''I don't think we have a bad basketball team and they kicked our butts,'' Joyner said.
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SPIN MOVE
Scott had quite a few spin moves for easy layups, something he couldn't do as well last season because of a balky back.
''This year, I feel strong. I feel healthy,'' Scott said. ''It's easy to make that move, especially if post players want to play me like that.''
GREAT NUMBERS
Guards Josh Fortune and Dominique Collier combined for 15 points, 12 assists and no turnovers.
''Take that every single night,'' Boyle said.
TIP-INS
Hampton: This was the second time the Pirates played a team that's a current member of the Pac-12. They lost at Cal 69-46 during the 2004-05 season. ... Darden and Fortune are buddies from Hampton, Virginia.
Colorado: Senior guard Xavier Johnson recently met with a doctor to see how he's healing after tearing his left Achilles tendon in June. He will weigh his options about returning this season or taking a redshirt year.
UP NEXT
Hampton plays Nicholls on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Colorado faces Penn State on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
