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Buffs fend off Ducks on the road in defensive slugfest

Writer's picture: Harrison SimeonHarrison Simeon

EUGENE, Oreg. The third-ranked Colorado women's basketball team got back in the win column on Sunday afternoon, holding off a fourth-quarter comeback by the Oregon Ducks (11-11, 2-7 in conference play) to win 61-48.


With the victory to split their weekend slate against the Oregon schools, the Buffaloes move to 17-3, 7-2 in Pac-12 play.


It was a defensive masterclass by CU in the first half, stifling the Ducks to just 4-for-23 (17.4%) shooting from the field and 0-for-7 from 3. It was the lowest number of points allowed in a half (11) by the Buffs since against Arizona in 2014. In the second quarter, Oregon was held to just three points with zero field goal makes.


Trailing 45-28 entering the fourth, the Ducks went on a 13-2 run to trim the lead to seven. However, Frida Formann and Aaronette Vonleh's play down the stretch helped Colorado keep their distance and ice the win.


"I thought our defense was phenomenal in the first half, not as not as great in the second half," noted head coach JR Payne. "I thought we defended really well as a team."


Vonleh, an Oregon native, led the way with her first double-double since all the way back against Le Moyne on Nov. 8. The junior center logged 16 points, 10 rebounds, and a season-high four steals. A whopping seven of her rebounds were offensive.


"She just has such an incredible career ahead of her," Payne added on Vonleh's performance. "It's really great for her to be able to play in front of her family, her mom, her grandmother and a lot of people were here which is always great. I know she enjoyed being close to them here."


Formann struggled to find open shots through three quarters, but let it fly when CU needed her most, scoring seven on 3-for-7 shooting in the fourth quarter. She finished second on the team scoring-wise with nine.


Colorado shooting guard Tameiya Sadler glides to the basket for a shot during a win over Oregon. The senior was a bright spot off the bench for CU, with seven points, seven assists, and two steals. (Photo by CUBuffsWBB/X)

Though Colorado's offensive woes continued (34.6% shooting), 22 of their 27 field goals were assisted. Kindyll Wetta and Tameiya Sadler came off the bench to generate the bulk of these makes, with seven and six assists, respectively. Both guards also swiped a pair of steals.


The black and gold were back to their dominant ways on the glass as well, grabbing 52 rebounds, including 20 on the offensive end.


For the Ducks, sophomore forward Grace VanSlooten led a sluggish offensive effort with 16 points and eight rebounds. Junior center Kyei Phillipina was another bright spot with 17 boards.


Despite yet another struggle to generate points, the Buffs can feel more promise about their weekend on the road following a loss to No. 25 Oregon State on Friday. Two of CU's three worst shooting percentages of the season have come in the last two contests, though.


Regarding their ranking in next week's Associated Press poll, Colorado will likely drop to the latter half of the top 10. However, Friday's loss now looks a bit better following the Beavers' blowout win over No. 16 Utah on Sunday afternoon.


The Buffs hold firm at second place in the Pac-12 following an upset-filled weekend of hoops and now fly back home for some much-needed rest. They travel back out to the Pacific Northwest on Friday to face the Washington State Cougars (15-6, 4-4 in conference play). Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. MT.



Cover photo by CUBuffsWBB/X

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