Guard Desiree Wooten chases a New Mexico player during Colorado’s game against New Mexico at the CU Events Center on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. (Tyler Phillips/CU Independent)
The Colorado Buffaloes fell in a close game to the No. 22 Louisville Cardinals (3-1), 74-68, on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Colorado transfer guard Zyanna Walker showed up with a career high 19 points, carrying Colorado against her former team.
The game started off at an even pace, as the lead bounced back and forth between the Buffs and the Cardinals, but Colorado soon took advantage of Louisville’s spotty defense to go on a 6-0 run.
Louisville’s first-quarter defense was weak, with not much offense to back it up, and the Buffs ended the first quarter with a 23-18 lead.
Sophomore guard Tajianna Roberts led the Cardinals into the second quarter, recording four points in their 7-2 run, bringing Louisville head-to-head with Colorado.
The Cardinals slowed down again as eight points for the Buffs brought them back in the lead 35-27.
Louisville turned things around, ending the half aggressively on offense, with a three-pointer by Roberts with three seconds on the clock, bringing the Cardinals right below CU on the scoreboard, and a 37-34 score going into the locker rooms.
The second half also started out slowly with eight points for Colorado, keeping the lead against the seven Louisville points during the first four minutes of the half.
The Cardinals went for a 9-2 run in the fifth minute of the third quarter, giving them a two-point lead before a two and a half minute point drought for both teams.
Walker picked up the momentum, carrying her team with six of the Buffs’ 12 points in the last three minutes, bringing the third quarter to an end with Colorado up 58-55.
Louisville did not let Colorado stay ahead long, as senior guard Reyna Scott brought the score to a tie in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter.
Two more points for each team brought the game to a 3-minute static tie at 62-62.
With a layup by Roberts in the fourth minute, the Cardinals pulled ahead, where they stayed for the rest of the game. Colorado’s efforts were strong, but proved futile in the end as the buzzer rang with the score at 68-74 for the Cardinals.
The Buffs led through the first three quarters with a strong offense and diverse contributions throughout the team. Even with the lead in the beginning, much of Colorado’s score was weighed down by its 18 turnovers to Louisville’s eight.
“I’m really proud of a lot of things that we did tonight,” said head coach JR Payne. “Obviously disappointed with the outcome, but really tough environment, and a lot of young people – or young to the floor – contributed really well. Some layups and free throws might have made a difference, but lots of things to build on in an early season.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lilly Watson at lillian.watson@colorado.edu.
