BOULDER, Colo. (AP) Josh Scott scored 18 points and Xavier Talton had a pivotal steal late in the game, helping Colorado hold off California 70-62 on Sunday.
The Buffaloes (17-5, 6-3 Pac-12) got off to a dreadful start, misfiring on 18 of their opening 19 shots, before finding their range against a stingy Bears defense. Dominique Collier added 14 points as Colorado split the season series with Cal (14-8, 4-5), which won 79-65 on New Year's Day.
Jaylen Brown, the Bears' leading scorer, struggled early but finished with 21 points - all in the second half.
Colorado led by as many as 17 in the second half, and appeared cruising toward a blowout. But the Bears rallied back and trimmed it to four on a 3-pointer by Brown with 1:56 remaining.
Moments later, Talton blocked a pass and grabbed the loose ball, helping the Buffaloes hang on for their fifth victory in six games.
