Buffs end losing skid with win over Charleston

Kennedy Sanders came into the night with a shooting percentage of 44.2, but raised that number with a 6-for-13 shooting night against the Cougars. (Photo by Kainoa Hiatt/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes’ women’s basketball team (6-3) got back in the win column and kept the Charleston Cougars (6-2) at bay on Tuesday night with a final score of 66-47. 

Colorado head coach JR Payne praised the way her team came together after two consecutive losses and regrouped in practice. Tapping back into her team's core values and stepping up its performance at every level were among the conversations that helped get the Buffs back on track. 

“We’re better than this,” Payne said. “We should have higher expectations of ourselves and each other.” 

The first quarter saw both teams working to get into rhythm. Facing a strong team with only one loss on the season, CU prioritized balance and dictated the offensive pace. 

Though the Buffs attacked the boards and looked explosive from the jump, a lack of focus led to several early misses and opportunities squandered off the glass. 

Averaging ten points entering the matchup, guard Kennedy Sanders shone early for the Buffs and got her team on the right track.

Not discouraged by an early miss from deep, the redshirt-sophomore guard quickly let another fly and cashed in from the top of the key. Also tasked with the responsibility of handling defensive pressure for the full length of the court, her shifty crossovers allowed her to navigate the press and still produce her own offense. 

Even against bigger defenders, Sanders finished at the rim and used what size she has. Often locking down opponents’ elite scorers on defense, Sanders continued to be a key piece of the puzzle for the Buffs’ young core. She tied forward Anaëlle Dutat as CU’s leading scorer with 14 points on 6-for-13 shooting.  

The Cougars were forced to call their first timeout midway through the second quarter after a contested three splashed by guard Desiree Wooten put the Buffs up 25-14. Though she came off the bench behind fellow guard Zyanna Walker on Tuesday night, the 5-foot-8 guard showed up for her team wherever they needed her. She forced a turnover in the backcourt and a deflected shot, leading to transition points for the Buffs. 

The Buffs forced 20 turnovers from the Cougars by the end of the night. Coach Payne emphasized how well her team executed the scout against a team with knockdown shooters. 

“I thought that was tremendous growth, from Sunday night to Tuesday night,” Payne said.

What the Buffs lacked in the fourth quarter against Montana State, they regained in this bounce-back performance. 

Though Charleston looked strong as a unit, the Cougars were no match for the height of the home squad.  

Dutat also tied her season-high in assists with three on the night. (Photo by Kainoa Hiatt/Sko Buffs Sports)

“AD” Dutat’s athleticism and performance against Charleston proved her worthy of such a nickname. She consistently battled down on the block, put her in position to tip in a loose ball and put CU up 15-12 at the end of the first quarter. 

With movements making her look much longer than her 6-foot frame, AD’s ability to snatch rebounds makes her a threat from virtually anywhere. On multiple occasions,  a slick spin move to the basket led to the senior finishing through contact and picking up the and-one call. Her extensive skillset and basketball IQ often leave fans and players alike straining their necks at the replay board. 

Dutat finished with 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting, seven rebounds (four offensive), three assists, two steals and a block. 

Paired with 6-foot-4 forward Logyn Greer’s length on the pick-and-roll, CU’s offense was a lethal weapon when executed correctly. 

CU led at half 32-24. 

Through most of the third quarter, the Buffs were in control, stretching the lead to 15 at its largest. Payne’s squad adapted quickly to play calls mid-possession, responded well to each other and showed continuously improved cohesion. Scoring was spread out evenly, and everyone who checked in for the Buffs operated as a threat.

However, off a furious scoring run nearing the end of the third, it was clear the Cougars were still in the game. They cut the lead to six in a hurry. 

Charleston’s physicality and focus kept the game close and forced CU to clean things up to finish the game strong.

Despite letting their foot off the gas, working with a consistent rotation of fresh legs got the Buffs back on track as the game wound down. Solid ball movement and transition offense proved to be key at all points in this matchup. 

“I think our cohesiveness and energy allowed us to pull ourselves out, which was huge,” Payne said. 

Payne acknowledged spurts and lulls over the course of the game and commended her team for digging its heels in against adversity.

After racking up 23 turnovers in a loss to Montana State on Sunday, the Buffs surrendered just 15 against the Cougars. 

A forced turnover on the defensive end was converted for a layup without the ball ever hitting the floor. This energized the faithful home crowd and put CU assuredly back in the driver’s seat. The victory snapped the losing skid for the Buffs, who secured their sixth win on the season. 

CU will take on the Wyoming Cowboys at the CU Events Center on Sunday at 1 p.m. MT (ESPN+).