BERKELEY, Calif. — — Coach Tad Boyle called it a must-win situation for his Colorado Buffaloes.
CU got the victory they needed, outlasting Cal for a 68-59 win, but it was a performance that at times was as dominant as it was nerve-racking for the Buffs.
The Buffs controlled the first half, and after scoring the first seven points after halftime CU held what felt like an insurmountable advantage against a Golden Bears squad that has yet to win a Pac-12 Conference game.
The host Bears had other plans, gradually erasing the Buffs' advantage to take a 54-53 lead with seven minutes remaining.