Wooten’s career-highs go for naught as Colorado collapses during fourth quarter
- Jake Chau
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Colorado Buffaloes (20-10, 11-7 Big 12) fell into their old ways, completely collapsing in the fourth quarter, spoiling a career night for junior guard Desiree Wooten.
The BYU Cougars (20-10, 9-9) outscored the Buffaloes 27-6 in the fourth quarter to earn a 75-62 win Saturday.
Wooten tied her career-high 25 points on 50 percent shooting, including four 3-pointers, a new career-high.
Junior guard Zyanna Walker was the second-leading scorer, with 13 points, while freshman forward Logyn Greer scored 10 points with eight rebounds.
For the first time in six games, the Buffaloes were out-rebounded by their opponents, losing the boards 38-35.
BYU had four separate scorers in double digits, while sophomore guard Delaney Gibb led all scorers with 26 points.
The Cougars’ 3-point shooting powered them to an early 8-3 lead before a stepback Wooten 3-pointer brought Colorado back to tie, 10-10.
Wooten hit on two more 3-pointers to cap off a nine-point first quarter as the Buffs trailed 20-16 to start the second.
A quick 6-0 run in the final 40 seconds included a buzzer-beating Wooten 3 to set a new career-high in 3-pointers made in a game. Wooten’s 17 first-half points had Colorado within two headed to the locker room, 32-30.
The Buffs began on a 9-2 run to open the third quarter before cruising out to an eight-point lead headed to the final frame.
Seven different Buffs found the scoresheet in the third quarter alone as they outscored the Cougars by 10.
Wooten was shooting 72 percent from the field and 80 percent from beyond the perimeter in her first 25 minutes.
However, Colorado shot 13 percent from the field and missed on all eight 3-point attempts as the Buffs’ shot went freezing cold in the fourth quarter.
BYU completely took over the final frame and outscored Colorado 24-2 before the final minute.
Gibb scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and hit seven free throws, while Wooten missed the mark on all five shots, including three 3-pointers in the final 10 minutes.
"I'm not concerned about the future, I'm just concerned about ‘why did it happen?’" Colorado head coach JR Payne said postgame.
Payne has built the identity of her team on hard work and grit, few of which came through in the match.
“I actually thought they played harder than we did, which I don't think I've ever said about our ball club,” Payne said. “I definitely am disappointed with our effort in spots, not overall."
The Buffs will await the remaining Big 12 matches to find out their seeding ahead of the Big 12 Tournament.
Colorado can still clinch the four seed and a double-bye if both Texas Tech and Oklahoma State lose their remaining games.