Freshman guard Isa Hämäläinen chases the ball after a blocked pass in the game against Colorado School of Mines at the CU Events Center on Oct. 29, 2025. (Peter FitzGerald/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado women’s basketball team made a statement in their exhibition game on Wednesday, flattening the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers 87-24. Senior transfer Anaell Dutat led the unofficial stat broadcast with 16 points while freshman Sophie Zadel secured 14 rebounds.
The new look Buffs, with just three returning players, bring in a new class of five freshmen along with five transfers. While an exhibition game isn’t necessarily indicative of the season to come, Colorado seemed to find a rhythm early on, with good flow on offense and high pressure defense.
Dutat, a transfer from Rhode Island, got Colorado started with a quick layup. Without notable outside shooters this year, Colorado’s offense focused more on cuts and inside play. Guards Desiree Wooten and Kennedy Sanders handled the ball well for the Buffs, cutting through Mines’ defense to get looks. Colorado ran out to an early lead, going up 26-5 at the end of the first quarter.
“Our balance was great,” said Colorado head coach JR Payne, on her team’s offensive adaptability. “Our ability to problem solve was very good.”
On the defensive end, the Buffs played tight both on and off the ball, disrupting the Orediggers offense with deflections in the passing lanes. The sticky defense led to steals allowing Colorado to push in transition for quick points. Freshman Erianna Gooden posted seven steals with Sanders chipping in four. Colorado held Mines to just five points in each of the two first quarters, to lead 51-10 at half.
“We’ve been harping a lot all summer [during] pre-season, about just pressuring the ball game defensively,” said Masagayo.
Colorado continued to put together a well-rounded performance, with every player that got minutes contributing. The Buffs also paid attention to the details, out-hustling Mines by staying aggressive on the glass. Colorado had 48 total rebounds, with Zadel contributing several offensive boards.
“It’s something that we’re going to need to do,” said Payne. “We’re going to need defensive rebounding and stops, and we’re going to need extra possessions on offense. So I think it’s something that we should really lean into as one of our superpowers this year.”
The Buffs kept up the defensive pressure in the second half, holding Mines scoreless in the third quarter. Offensively, they took care of the ball, something Payne put emphasis on following a season where they averaged 18.1 turnovers per game. Against Mines, the Buffs had eight turnovers in the first half and four in the second.
Mines had a bit more offensive presence in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 points in the period. Sophomore Sofia Baldessari hit a fadeaway three as the shot clock expired and the Orediggers found more openings in the Colorado defense.
The Buffs were able to cruise to a victory, 87-24, in a game that allowed the new team to build chemistry before the in-season play. While the Buffs are picked ninth in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll, their showing against Mines suggests a well-balanced team with lots of potential.
Colorado will have their home opener at the CU Events Center next week on Thursday, Nov. 6 against the University of New Mexico Lobos. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. MT and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Lila Nuttle at lila.nuttle@colorado.edu
Contact CU Independent Staff Photographer Peter FitzGerald at peter.fitzgerald@colorado.edu
