Alec Burks scored 29 points, including seven during a key stretch late in the game, and Colorado came back to beat Iowa State 77-75 in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday at Sprint Center.

Neither team led by more than six, and the Cyclones matched that margin by pushing it to 70-64 with three minutes left. But Burks, who also grabbed 15 rebounds, scored seven points during a 10-2 run that gave Colorado the lead for good, leading to a victory the Buffaloes desperately needed to solidify their case for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The Buffaloes (20-12, 8-8 Big 12) overcame a career- high 33 points from Cyclones guard Jake Anderson and 19 from Diante Garrett.

The Cyclones (16-16, 3-13 Big 12) led 28-26 at halftime after going 4 for 10 from 3-point range, but were only 3 for 13 from beyond the arc after halftime.

After shooting 36.7 percent (11 for 30) in the first half, the Buffaloes heated up and hit 16 of 28 (57.1 percent) in the second half. Burks led the way, scoring 25 of his 29 in the second half.

Colorado freshman Andre Roberson grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds to go with nine points, and Cory Higgins scored 16 for the Buffaloes, who take on Kansas State on Thursday in the quarterfinals.