Collier, Fortune help Colorado beat Sacramento St., 90-53
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) Dominique Collier had 12 points, all on 3-pointers, Josh Fortune scored 11, and Colorado beat Sacramento State 90-53 Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
Colorado's Xavier Johnson added six points and seven rebounds, a solid showing in his return after missing all of last season because of a torn Achilles' tendon.
Nick Hornsby had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento State, which has dropped its only two meetings with Colorado. The Hornets lost their first meeting against Colorado 80-56 in 1994.
Sacramento State shot 20.6 percent from the field in the first half and trailed 42-19 at halftime. Colorado built on its lead early in the second, including a stretch of three consecutive 3-pointers - two by Collier - as the Buffaloes opened a 55-28 lead with 14:55 to play.
Ten of 12 Colorado players who played scored.
BIG PICTURE:
Sacramento State: The Hornets returned four starters from last season's team but they with their shooting accuracy throughout the night. Center Eric Stuteville epitomized the team's struggles, missing his first five shots before finally hitting a layup with under five minutes remaining. Though the Hornets had won four of their previous five season openers, their long-term history is pretty rough. They dropped to 8-18 in openers since becoming a Division I program in 1991-92.
Colorado: The Buffaloes possess an experienced corps of nine letter winners from last season's 22-win team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The opener also provided an encouraging glimpse of newcomers Derrick White and Deleon Brown, who both could play prominent roles. White, who was in the starting lineup in his Colorado debut, sat out last season after transferring from University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where he was a standout for three seasons. Brown, a 6-foot-4 guard, helped Brewster Academy reach the quarterfinals of the National Prep School Championships last season.
UP NEXT
Sacramento State: Continues its season-opening road trip with a visit to Nebraska on Sunday night.
Colorado: Plays Seattle on Monday as part of the Legends Classic at Barclays Center in New York.
