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Higgins leads Colorado past Coppin State 82-58

Nov 17, 2009 - 4:43 AM BOULDER, Colo.(AP) -- Cory Higgins scored 21 points to lead four Colorado players in double figures, and the Buffaloes emphatically handed Coppin State its first loss of the season Monday night, 82-58.

Freshman Alec Burks added 18, Marcus Relphorde had 14 and Dwight Thorne 13 for Colorado (2-0), which dominated from the outset, scoring the game's first 15 points, and applied an unrelenting transition game to turn the game into a blowout.

Lenny Young's 15 points led Coppin State (2-1), which began the season by winning its own tournament. Jonathan Landry came off the bench to add 11 for the Eagles, who were without returning letter winners Michael Harper (broken wrist) and Mike Buckley (ineligible).

Colorado improved to 3-0 all-time against Coppin State.

Coach Jeff Bzdelik was back on the bench for Colorado after missing the team's opener Friday when he was called out of town to attend to a family emergency.

Colorado scored the game's first 15 points before Young finally banked a layup for Coppin State. The Eagles went 1-for-11 from the floor during the opening nine minutes, unable to handle Colorado's pressure defense while falling behind 24-4.

Burks, Higgins, Thorne, Relphorde and Keegan Hornbuckle all hit 3-pointers to ignite the early surge, which ballooned to a 45-20 halftime lead.

By midway through the second half, the Buffaloes led by 39 points, and cruised from there to the victory.