Booker scores 17, Colorado beats Cal 59-56 in battle of Pac-12 bubble teams

California's Justin Cobbs, left, shoots against Colorado's Eli Stalzer in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Pac-12 men's tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2014, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) (The Associated Press)

Colorado's Josh Scott, right, passes off the ball against California's Richard Solomon in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Pac-12 men's tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2014, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) (The Associated Press)

LAS VEGAS – Askia Booker scored 17 points, Xavier Talton added 13 and Colorado held off California 59-56 in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 tournament on Thursday.

Colorado (23-10) led by as much as 11 before the Bears made a late run to make it close.

The Buffaloes went ahead 58-54 when Booker hit two free throws with 12.1 seconds left, but Eli Stalzer only hit 1 of 2 free throws after Justin Cobbs scored on a layup. Cal raced down the floor to get off a potential tying 3-pointer, but Cobbs' shot came up short.

Josh Scott scored 11 points for the Buffaloes, who will face No. 4 Arizona in the semifinals Friday night.

Cobbs finished with 21 points, five assists and four rebounds. Tyrone Wallace added 13 points for Cal (19-13), which shot 5 of 22 from 3-point range.