The University of Colorado Boulder Women’s Basketball team’s Kindyll Wetta breaks through the opponent during their match against the University of Arizona at CU Event Center on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Scott Tan/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado women’s basketball team extended their win streak to four in a row, getting by the University of Arizona 56-47. This win comes off of the Buffaloes’ victory against Texas Tech University at home on Sunday. Jade Masogayo led CU with 19 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks. Graduate student forward Lior Garzon also added 12 points.
Frida Formann is out with a stress fracture in her foot, and without her three-point shooting, the Buffs had to focus their offense inside. Of Colorado’s points, 34 came from the paint, proving that they can adapt when outside shots aren’t falling.
In a game that was battled in the lane, both teams struggled to find their footing on offense. Early fouls, turnovers and missed layups slowed the game. The score was only 5-3 with Arizona leading midway through the first quarter.
CU got some energy when Nyamer Diew came off the bench and hit two quick threes. Diew had eight of Colorado’s 14 points in the first quarter.
Offensive woes continued in the second quarter, with missed layups preventing the Buffs from pulling ahead.
While the offensive end proved rough, on the defensive side Masogayo continued her block party, posting three blocks in the first half, denying Arizona easy looks inside.
That, coupled with the Buffs’ defense, forced the Wildcats to work late into the shot clock and make last minute attempts.
Arizona showed their own defensive intensity as well. CU struggled to break Arizona’s aggressive full court press, which trapped in the backcourt and forced turnovers.
Once they were able to pass out of the press, Colorado found points in quick cuts to the basket. Masogayo made a layup at the buzzer, going into the half with a double-double and a 29-21 CU lead.
Johanna Teder started the second half with a quick steal and layup, setting the pace for an increasingly physical half.
CU played its best on fast breaks, sharing the ball and getting quick layups. A give and go sequence between Garzon, Kindyll Wetta and Masogayo highlighted the Buffs’ ability to make quick plays.
After a first half plagued by missed layups, Colorado turned on the heat and went on an 8-2 run, propelled by steals from Wetta leading to made baskets.
The Buffs seemed to find their groove. Their offensive run translated to energy on the defensive end, forcing the Wildcats to commit turnovers and call a timeout part way through the third.
While Arizona’s defensive pressure didn’t let up, Colorado remained persistent on offense, forcing mismatches and getting the ball into the post. Wetta’s ball handling was also key in CU breaking the Wildcats’ press.
While the Buffs scored consistently inside, Arizona’s Jada Williams proved a threat from the three, with all nine of her points coming from outside the arc. Arizona made six threes to Colorado’s three, reflecting the Buffs shooting troubles.
Quick cuts through the paint helped CU stay ahead, and they went into the fourth quarter with a 43-34 lead.
Both teams played scrappily throughout the fourth quarter, going after jump balls and trapping aggressively. Arizona stayed in a full court press, putting pressure on Colorado’s ball handlers and forcing errant passes.
Through steady scoring inside, the Buffs held onto their lead in an increasingly physical final few minutes as Arizona tried to make a comeback. Freshman Tabitha Betson sank two free throws in the final minute to secure Colorado’s 56-47 lead.
Post game, Payne noted that Colorado faced a tough challenge.
“We’re a resilient bunch. We’re facing adversity with injuries and different things,” Payne said.
She noted the pressure CU faced from Arizona’s press and that she was proud of how they responded.
Masogayo added that now with four wins in a row, they are committed to continuing their win streak as they head into March.
“[We are] really just trying to build off of that [to] keep getting wins,” Masogayo said.
The Buffs will face Iowa State and Utah on the road, before returning to home against the University of Houston on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lila Nuttle at Lila.Nuttle@colorado.edu
