Ben Smith and Toure’ Murry scored 17 points apiece as Wichita State never trailed in the second half en route to a 67-58 victory over Colorado on Thursday in the first round of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament.

Garrett Stutz had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Shockers (2-0), who have won seven straight dating back to their NIT championship season.

Wichita State will play Alabama in the semifinals on Friday while Colorado meets Maryland in the losers’ bracket.

Carlon Brown, a transfer from Utah, scored 15 points and Andre Roberson had 10 rebounds for the Buffaloes (1-1), who fell to 4-10 in their last 14 neutral court games.

The Shockers outrebounded the Buffaloes 38-27, including 11-5 on the offensive end.

Wichita State led by as many as 11 early in the second half and Colorado could only get as close as six in the final six minutes.

Smith and David Kyles combined for 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting, including 5-for-8 from 3-point range, as the Shockers closed the first half with a 9-2 run to take a 33-26 lead. Kyles’ 3-pointer with 7:51 left in the first half gave Wichita State the lead for good, 20-17.

The teams last met in 1971, but almost played for the NIT championship last season. Wichita State defeated Alabama 66-57 in the final after the Crimson Tide ousted the Buffaloes in the semifinals 62-61.