GAME NOTES: Coming off a heartbreaking loss, the Colorado Buffaloes try to regain their composure on Saturday as they host Pac-12 Conference foe Washington State at the Coors Events Center.

It was the best defensive performance of the season for the Buffaloes two nights ago against Washington, but with less than second remaining the Huskies broke their hearts with a 52-50 final. The loss was the fourth in a row for Colorado and dropped the team to not only 9-9 on the campaign overall, but also just 2-4 in conference play which leaves it tied with Arizona State for ninth place in the Pac-12 standings heading into the weekend.

As for the Cougars, they are a bit better off in the league with a split of six decisions, causing a log-jam with three other teams for the fifth spot in the standings. On Wednesday, the program was thwarted by nationally-ranked Utah in Salt Lake City by a score of 86-64, the second loss in as many outings for WSU.

With respect to the all-time series between the programs Colorado, which just joined the league a few years back, owns a 5-1 advantage thanks to a 68-63 victory in the most recent triumph last February. The lone victory for the Cougars was an 84-74 final in December of 1969.

Washington State shot 55.0 percent from the field in the second half against Utah earlier in the week, but that was only after falling behind by 19 points at the break at the Huntsman Center. The Cougars finished the night hitting 45.7 percent from the floor and just 14-of-27 at the free-throw line, all while turning the ball over 17 times in the defeat.

DaVonte Lacy led four players in double figures with his 15 points, followed by Jordan Railey and Josh Hawkinson with 12 points apiece, the former accounting for eight rebounds and five blocked shots and the latter a game- high 10 boards. Brett Boese tallied 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting behind the 3- point line off the bench.

One of only two players to have started every game for WSU, Lacy paces the program in scoring with 17.2 ppg, connecting on a team-best 42 triples and more free throws (92) than any of his teammates have yet to attempt. Hawkinson handles the action in the paint as he averages a double-double consisting of 15.2 ppg and 10.9 rpg, but for someone who has his hands on the ball as much as he does, even by accident he should have more than only 14 assists for a team that generates 71.4 ppg.

Knotted at 50-50 against Washington on Thursday, the Buffaloes had a chance to take the lead in the final minute, but fumbled away the opportunity and then allowed Andrew Andrews to knock down a jumper in the lane at the other end with 0.3 seconds left on the clock for the win. The game featured seven ties and 10 lead changes, with Wesley Gordon registering a double-double with 10 points and 17 rebounds, and Jaron Hopkins dropping 11 points for the home team as it converted just 31.7 percent of its shots from the floor.

Askia Booker, who tallied just five points as he shot 2-of-13 from the field against Washington, is still the leading scorer for the Buffs with his 16.1 ppg, thanks to 39.8 percent accuracy beyond the arc. He is also first with 58 assists and tied for the lead with 23 steals, showing quick hands at both ends of the floor. Unfortunately for Booker his teammates, they have been forced to hit the floor without a services of Josh Scott (13.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and Xavier Johnson (12.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg) because of injury and the outlook doesn't look good for the time being.

After a deflating loss just two days ago and having to forge ahead without both Johnson and Scott, the Buffaloes have a rough road moving forward, which means a win this weekend doesn't seem likely.