Scott leads Colorado past Air Force 89-74

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(AP) Freshman Josh Scott helped break open a tight game by scoring 13 of his 20 points in the second half, and No. 23 Colorado handed Air Force its first loss of the season with an 89-74 victory on Sunday night.

Andre Roberson had 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Spencer Dinwiddie and Askia Booker added 15 points apiece for Colorado (5-0), which is off to its best start since also opening 5-0 in 1989-90.

The Buffaloes improved to 9-1 at home against Air Force (5-1), which fell one win shy of matching its only 6-0 start in 1982-83.

Michael Lyons scored 20 points for the Falcons, who fell to 2-76 when playing ranked opponents. Todd Fletcher matched his career high with 18 points.

Air Force closed to 58-56 on Max Yon’s jumper in the second half, but the Buffaloes outscored the Falcons 17-5 over the next seven minutes to go in front 75-61 with 5:25 remaining.

Roberson converted a breakaway dunk, Eli Stalzer hit a 3-pointer and Scott had six of his points during the stretch, four coming on free throws.

Fletcher hit his fourth 3-pointer with 4:23 to play to interrupt Colorado’s momentum but by then, the Buffaloes’ lead was too much to overcome.

Dinwiddie connected on a 3-pointer with 2:09 left in the opening period, putting Colorado in front 41-39 at the half.

Colorado used a 7-0 burst, capped by Stalzer’s 3-pointer, to take a 36-31 lead with 6:11 remaining in the first half but that was offset by a pair of 3-pointers from by Fletcher and Lyons, who scored 12 of his points in the opening 20 minutes.