A week between games might have been just what the Colorado women’s basketball team needed.
CU had a 22-day stretch in which it played eight games, concluding Dec. 7 against Wyoming. The Buffs didn’t hit the court again until Sunday and looked like a rested squad in a 75-55 win against Miami (Ohio).
Head coach JR Payne felt it was the best the Buffs (8-3) had played this season, and the week off had an impact.
“It’s the first time in a really long time that we had actually had time to practice and do us,” she said. “Like, everything we did sort of for three weeks leading up to the last game was just scout, scout, scout (for other teams).
“I thought this week of practice was really good. I thought we went into the game and executed some things that we had really tried to prioritize this week, in transition and some reads and things like that.”
CU won’t have the luxury of extended time before the next game, as it’s a quick turnaround to Tuesday’s home date with Northern Colorado. But, the time last week to work on issues could carry CU through this week. After Tuesday’s matchup, the Buffs hit the road for the Big 12 opener at Arizona State on Sunday (5 p.m. MT, ESPN+).
One area that CU showed improvement was 3-point defense. The Buffs have a strong defense, but guarding the perimeter has been an issue at times. Six of the first 10 opponents hit at least 33.3% from the arc against CU. Miami came in as one of the better 3-point teams in the country, but went just 5-of-26 (.192) against the Buffs, the second-lowest percentage by a CU opponent.
“It wasn’t just like contesting 3-point shots,” Payne said. “There were some ball-screen interactions we had that we had practiced and … I just thought we executed well. Having time to practice was huge for us.
Colorado’s Anaelle Dutat, right, passes to teammate Logyn Greer during a women’s basketball game against Miami (Ohio) on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, at the CU Events Center in Boulder, Colorado. (CU Athletics)
“I think we’re going to turn on the film and see that we talked about doing this and we went out and did it. And so when we see ourselves execute and we see that type of success, it should only motivate us to continue to execute and do those things.”
Offensively, CU posted its second-best field goal percentage (.491) of the season, but did rack up 20 turnovers, its third-highest total of the year.
Payne said she’s not going to worry too much about the turnovers, because she believes many of the issues are fixable. She also believes that a deep rotation and a lot of substituting contributed to that total. CU played 13 players against Miami, but the rotation will shorten in conference play.
“I’m not going to worry about it other than just making sure we prioritize it in practice and watch them so that we can learn from them,” she said. “I think sometimes if you’re subbing that often, it can lead to some (turnovers) as well. But we just need to study them and figure out where we can make a safer pass.”
CU will aim to take another step forward Tuesday in the nonconference finale.
CU Buffs women’s basketball vs. Northern Colorado
TIPOFF: Tuesday, 7 p.m., CU Events Center in Boulder
TV/RADIO: ESPN+/KHOW 630 AM
RECORDS: Colorado 8-3, 0-0 Big 12; UNC 8-2, 0-0 Big Sky
COACHES: Colorado — JR Payne, 10th season (172-119; 273-232 career). UNC — Kristen Mattio, 4th season (65-69; 219-104 career)
KEY PLAYERS: Colorado — F Anaelle Dutat, 6-0, Sr. (9.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.9 spg, .539 fg%); F Logyn Greer, 6-4, Fr. (11.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, .463 fg%); F Jade Masogayo, 6-3, Sr. (8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.1 apg); G Kennedy Sanders, 5-8, So. (9.3 ppg, 2.2 apg, 1.9 spg); G Zyanna Walker, 5-11, Jr. (9.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.3 spg); G Desiree Wooten, 5-8, Jr. (10.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.6 spg). UNC — G Heather Baymon, 5-8, So. (8.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg); G Gabi Fields, 5-5, Sr. (5.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.1 spg); G Neenah George, 5-8, So. (12.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.3. apg); F Aniah Hall, 6-3, Sr. (11.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, .644 fg%); F Erin Powell, 6-0, So. (6.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg); F Tatum West, 6-2, Jr. (12.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.8 spg, .603 fg%).
NOTES: Tuesday’s game is the last nonconference game of the regular season for the Buffs. … With the exception of the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season (when there were only three nonconference games), CU has won at least nine nonconference games every year under Payne. … The Buffs have won three in a row and they are 6-1 at home. This game completes a five-game home stand. … CU is 15-6 all-time against UNC, including an 81-66 win in Boulder on Nov. 7, 2024. … UNC’s last win in the series came on Jan. 27, 1978, in Greeley. The Buffs have won 12 in a row against the Bears since then. … Wooten went 0-for-6 from 3-point range during CU’s three games in Hawaii. In four games since then, she’s 9-of-14 (64.3%). … The Bears bring a three-game winning streak into the game. … UNC ranks sixth nationally in bench points (34.1 per game) and 15th in offensive rebounds per game (16.6). … UNC has three former Buffs on the roster, including Powell (who has started all 10 games) and reserves Ruthie Loomis-Goltl and Lele Tanuvasa. Powell was a true freshman for the Buffs last year, averaging 2.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 19 games. Loomis-Goltl and Tanuvasa redshirted at CU during the 2023-24 season and both played at different schools last year before transferring to UNC.
