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Colorado hands No. 9 Arizona second straight loss

Feb 15, 2013 - 7:24 AM Boulder, CO (Sports Network) - Spencer Dinwiddie had a career-high 21 points and added seven assists as Colorado thumped No. 9 Arizona, 71-58.

Xavier Johnson hit four 3-pointers en route to a 19-point, nine-rebound game for the Buffaloes (17-7, 7-5 Pac-12), who have won three straight games and six of seven.

"Spencer is growing up before our eyes; he is becoming one of the premier guards in this league," Colorado coach Tad Boyle said of Dinwiddie. "I have said this before and I will say it again, I would not trade Spencer for anybody. What he brings to this team, his ability, Spencer is special."

Solomon Hill had 12 points and seven boards while Mark Lyons added 11 points for the Wildcats (20-4, 8-4), who have lost their past two games.

Holding a seven-point lead to start the second half, Colorado opened the final frame with eight straight points and Andre Roberson's 3-pointer made it a 38-23 game.

Arizona cut its deficit to six after Grant Jerrett hit a 3-pointer to make it a 45-39 game with 11 minutes to play, but Xavier Talton answered with a 3- pointer to spark another 8-0 run.

The Wildcats hung in there and again made it a nine-point game with under five minutes to play on a Kevin Parrom layup, but Johnson followed with a 3- pointer. Another bucket from Arizona was again countered by a Johnson 3- pointer and Askia Booker's jumper made it a 68-53 game with under three minutes to play and Colorado cruised from there.

"We've played against some of the best teams in this country and our defense has held up, but tonight, it didn't," Arizona coach Sean Miller admitted. "I credit Colorado."

It was a close contest throughout the first half, but the Buffaloes took the lead for good when Johnson hit a 3-pointer for a 23-20 advantage with 5 1/2 minutes left.

Colorado closed the half with a 7-2 run to take a 30-23 lead into the break.

Game Notes

Arizona plays in Utah on Sunday ... Colorado hosts Arizona State on Saturday ... Colorado holds an 11-7 lead in the series ... Colorado shot 50 percent in the game, including 9-of-17 from 3-point range ... Arizona made just 42.3 percent of its shots and was just 5-of-19 from long range.