Simpson scores 22 points to lead Colorado past Towson

BOULDER, Colo. -- — KJ Simpson scored 22 points on 7-for-9 shooting and Colorado distanced itself from Towson after halftime to beat the Tigers 75-57 on Monday night in a season opener for the teams.

The Buffaloes built an 8-0 lead and extended it to 16-4 and went up 24-11 on Eddie Lampkin Jr.'s layup with 6:40 before halftime. Towson then outscored Colorado 13-4 to close within 28-24 to end the half.

Colorado finally created safe distance and made a double-digit lead last the rest of the way when Simpson and Tristan da Silva each made a pair of 3-pointers and Luke O'Brien added another as part of a 15-0 outburst to start the second half.

da Silva scored 15 points for Colorado and Jvonne Hadley 13.

Reserve Dylan Williamson scored 15 points for Towson and Charles Thompson 13.

------ Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here ------ AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball