Buffs hold off Aztecs for first road win of the season

Colorado defeated the San Diego State Aztecs for its first road win of the season. (Photo by Devon Zisser/Sko Buffs Sports)

The Colorado Buffaloes Women’s basketball team held off San Diego State for their first away win of the season, 64-55. Sophomore guard Zyanna Walker led the Buffs with 17 points and five rebounds. 

The Aztecs are in their first year as a Pac-12 school after leaving the Mountain West, where they won the regular-season title last year. San Diego State was picked third in the Pac-12 preseason poll and brought back seven players, including four starters, while adding multiple transfers. The Aztecs based their play on tough defense and, entering Wednesday, held opponents to just 26.7% shooting, the best in the Pac-12. 

The Buffs took control immediately off tip-off. Buffs’ defense rattled the Aztec offense, forcing 15 turnovers in the first half. Colorado took a 16-6 lead after the first quarter. The Aztecs attempted a second-quarter comeback, outscoring the Buffs 14-12. The Aztecs missed all seven of their three-point attempts, and Colorado went into the half leading 28-20. Logyn Greer led the Buffs with eight first-half points.

Aztecs came out hot after halftime, hitting 6 of 9 three-point attempts after missing all their attempts in the first. The Aztecs cut the Buffs’ lead to five at the end of the third quarter. Walker didn’t fold under the pressure, scoring 11 of her 17 points after the break. Colorado held onto the lead and pulled off a 64-55 win over the Aztecs. 

"It is a good win," head coach JR Payne said. "I think this and Fresno, in March, these are going to be wins that we're very, very happy we got. Really good teams, two of the best in the conference." 

The Buffaloes' next matchup will be back home against Youngstown State on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. MT.