Despite a late comeback attempt by IU, the Hoosiers fell to Colorado, 78-69, on Thursday night at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
Sophomore guard Jordan Hulls paced IU with 17 points in the loss, while freshman guard Victor Oladpio added 16 points and seven rebounds.
The Hoosiers (9-4), once down 15 points midway through the second half, did not back down easy. With the Buffaloes (8-4) leading 65-50 with 6:11 remaining, IU went on an 8-0 run to bring the game to within seven points.
Sophomore forward Christian Watford and Oladipo scored six of the game's next eight points to make the Hoosiers' deficit only three, 67-64.
But Colorado would not go away.
Lead by senior guard Cory Higgins, the Buffaloes scored 11 points in the final 2:09 to hold on for the victory.
The Hoosiers return home to Assembly Hall on Dec. 27 for its first conference game of the season against Penn State.
