GAME NOTES: The Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs make the trip out to the University of Colorado to face the Buffaloes in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational Wednesday at Coors Events Center.

The winner will move on to the second round of the bracket to face either Pepperdine or Seattle in the quarterfinal round.

This trip to the CBI is the first in program history for Gardner-Webb, which finished up its season in the Big South Conference Tournament semifinal round. The Runnin' Bulldogs dropped a tight 73-70 contest to eventual Big South champion Coastal Carolina.

Colorado had a bit of success in the Pac-12 Tournament after a sub-par regular season. The Buffaloes took on Oregon State in the first round and defeated the Beavers, 78-71, but then were taken down by Oregon, 93-85, the next day. Like Gardner-Webb, this is Colorado's first appearance in the CBI.

Gardner Webb and Colorado have only met once on the hardwood in history, which came back in the 2004 campaign. In a high-scoring affair, the Buffaloes took a 97-88 victory in Boulder.

The game was only decided by three points, but it seemed Coastal Carolina had Gardner-Webb right where it wanted it. The Chanticleers converted on 50.9 percent of their field-goal tries in the game, and limited the Bulldogs to 38.2 percent shooting in the clash. Jerome Hill netted 17 points with seven rebounds, while Tyrell Nelson added 15 points in the losing effort. Tyler Strange chipped in with 14 points and Adonis Burbage contributed 11 points with seven rebounds. Gardner-Webb was able to hang around in the contest by outscoring Coastal Carolina from the free-throw line, 22-10.

Hill was sensational this season for the Runnin' Bulldogs, leading the team in scoring with an 18.9 ppg mark, adding in a team-best 10.1 rpg to complete the double-double average. Nelson was the only other Gardner-Webb player in double- figure scoring, adding in 13.5 ppg on 59.7 percent shooting. Strange, the senior guard, dished out 7.4 apg and added 1.7 spg to his resume. The Bulldogs used a well-rounded attack offensively to net 74.7 ppg this season, but the team didn't put nearly as much effort into slowing opponent scoring, allowing 73.8 ppg through 34 contests.

Colorado ran up against an offense that was way too powerful in Oregon in the Pac-12 Tournament. The Buffaloes weren't able to entirely keep pace, although the team made a valiant effort by putting up 85 points. Josh Scott scored 16 points with six rebounds to lead the charge, while Dominique Collier added 14 points for the Buffaloes. Askia Booker and Xavier Talton each contributed 12 points, and Xavier Johnson netted 10 for Colorado, which shot 47 percent from the floor. Oregon, meanwhile, buried 53.2 percent of its attempts in the contest.

Booker ranked in the top five in terms of scoring this season in the Pac-12, and he enters the clash against Gardner-Webb netting 17.2 ppg. He's followed by Scott (14.0 ppg) and Johnson (10.5 ppg) in the double-digit scoring department. Scott tops the squad on the boards with 8.0 rpg, and Wesley Gordon has swatted a team-best 46 shots through his 32 games played. Colorado has also had some difficulty limiting opponent scoring this season. Teams are averaging 67.7 ppg against the Buffs, while Colorado offensively converts 43.6 percent of its shots for 68.5 ppg.

If Gardner-Webb wants any chance at beating the Buffaloes, the Bulldogs will need a strong offensive effort, which they have been known to provide from time to time. However, it isn't likely on the road here.