The University of Colorado Boulder Women’s Basketball team’s Kindyll Wetta pushing past an opponent during their match against Kansas State Wildcats at CU Event Center on Saturday, January 25, 2025. (Scott Tan/CU Independent)
On Saturday, the University of Colorado women’s basketball team took down the 10th ranked Kansas State University Wildcats 63-53. The win came after double-digit performances from Frida Formann (14 pts), Jade Masogayo (13 pts) and Johanna Teder (10pts). This victory brings Colorado to an all-time 35-35 record against K-State.
Saturday also marked Colorado’s annual Play4Kay game. The team wore pink warm-up shirts and shoes, while the crowd was a sea of pink hats to honor those with cancer and raise awareness for all cancers that affect women.
Both teams had starters absent with injury: CU’s Kennedy Sanders and K-State’s Ayoka Lee. However, both teams came out with intensity pushing the ball in transition and each posting a steal in the first four minutes.
Formann started the Buffs off with a quick layup, however, the Wildcats aggressive defensive trapping forced turnovers, and they took an early 11-4 lead when a third three by Taryn Sides forced a CU timeout.
The Buffs started slow, with K-State switching between a 3-2 zone press and man-to-man defense, forcing quick adjustions. Colorado shot 0-7 from the three-point line and had to rely on getting looks inside the paint with all 10 of their first quarter points coming from layups.
The University of Colorado Boulder Women’s Basketball team’s Sara-Rose Smith dribbling the ball during their match against Kansas State Wildcats at CU Event Center on Saturday, January 25, 2025. (Scott Tan/CU Independent)
The Wildcats dominated the boards in the first quarter, out rebounding the Buffs 14-9, and had a strong start from the arc, shooting 3-8. The Buffs got more comfortable in the second quarter, with more inside looks and Jade Masagayo made two quick shots to tie the game and force a K-State timeout.
Formann finally drained back-to-back threes for the Buffs, firing up both her team and the crowd. Liar Garzon then made a tough layup to give CU their first lead since the start of the game. Colorado carried that energy to end the first half. Tabitha Betson, coming back after injury, gave the Buffs some aggressive rebounding, allowing them extra offensive chances and Colorado went into halftime with a 35-31 lead.
The Buffs kept the momentum rolling coming out of the locker room. Teder knocked down a three and CU forced a shot clock violation on the other end, sending K-State into an early timeout.
While the Wildcats’ outside shooting cooled down, going 0-5 from the arc, their defensive intensity kept them in the game as they made it difficult for CU to get good looks. They had 12 points in the paint compared to the Buffs’ six. But, Teder gave the Buffs more energy with two threes, including a dart from way past the arc, sending CU into the fourth quarter with a six-point lead.
The University of Colorado Boulder Women’s Basketball team’s Frida Formann going for the point during their match against Kansas State Wildcats at CU Event Center on Saturday, January 25, 2025. (Scott Tan/CU Independent)
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle. K-State cut the Buffs lead early on, behind two threes from Jaelyn Glenn, and trapped with renewed aggression on defense. A big block from Masogayo got the crowd on their feet as she swatted a layup attempt by Zyanna Walker. She did the same thing the next defensive possession and CU was able to convert it into a quick two points from Wetta.
The Buffs got a big defensive stop with yet another block from Masogayo, followed by a layup from Garzon, to extend their lead to 10 with 15 seconds remaining going on to secure the win. Colorado ended the game with 40 points in the paint and K-State coach Jeff Mittie credits the teams cutting action.
Additionally, Masogayo’s performance on both ends was crucial in the Buffs win. Her 13 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks showed she’s a valuable player on both ends of the court.
“ (Masogayo’s) one of the best post players in the conference,” head coach J.R. Payne said after the game.
The intensity and poise CU played with shows their potential heading into the second half the season. The Buffs will be on the road this week, as they take on the Brigham Young University Cougars on Wednesday at 7 p.m. MST.
Contact CU Independent staff writer Lila Nuttle at Lila.Nuttle@Colorado.edu
