Colorado forward Jade Masogayo attempts a layup against Illinois’ Cearah Parchment in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Cristian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports)
In Music City, the Colorado Buffaloes lost their rhythm and couldn’t get it back, falling to the Illinois Fighting Illini 57-66, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 21.
Despite double-digit performances from both Desiree Wooten and Jade Masogayo, the 10th-seeded Buffs (22-12) were unable to match the production of the seventh-seeded Fighting Illini (22-11). It’s a tough ending for a scrappy team that had hoped to go out with more of a bang.
The Buffs entered the season with just three returning players, bringing in five transfers and five freshmen. Despite the odds, they clawed their way back to March Madness, behind a defensive mindset and friendships off the court.
The women’s tournament is known for being chalky. Lower seeds rarely pull off an upset, but heading into Colorado’s matchup against Illinois, the seed numbers seemed like a formality. The Buffs thrive on upsets, beating three top-25 teams throughout the season, and both teams entered with similar records. Illinois seemed poised to be an even battle.
The storyline going in was the Illini’s front court duo of Cearah Parchment and Berry Wallace, who had 21 and 18 points respectively. They’re a formidable threat, with mobility and range making them dangerous from outside the paint as well.
Colorado, which has shut down top scorers all year including Iowa State’s Audi Crooks, wasn’t able to stop them. Despite a breezy first quarter, in which Masogayo seemed in control of the paint, getting eight of her eventual 15 points, Parchment soon got 15 of her own in the second.
“We needed more defensive stops,” Head Coach JR Payne said. “And we just weren’t able to get it. We were trying all kinds of different things on Parchment and Wallace, and it just didn’t seem like anyone could get it done.”
Wooten provided some explosive guard play for the Buffs, getting inside and putting up floaters early in the game, but Illinois soon closed off the lane. Colorado had to work late into the shot clock to find buckets, and trailed by a couple possessions for much of the game.
As with many games this season, it came down to the fourth quarter. Down just three after going on a 6-0 run, CU was back in striking distance in the final 10 minutes. They had Parchment and Wallace mostly contained with a medley of defenses, and they were just a couple stops and scores away from retaking the lead.
Colorado forward Jade Masogayo dives for a loose ball in the Buffaloes’ game against Illinois in the NCAA Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Cristain Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports)
That’s when Illinois guard Destiny Jackson took over. After hampering Wooten on defense all game, Jackson exploded for 11 points in the fourth quarter. She ended the night with a double-double, posting 16 points and 11 rebounds. Her production in the final minutes killed any momentum CU tried to muster.
“It was hard, for sure, just to stop them and get them out of rhythm,” redshirt junior guard Zyanna Walker said of Illinois’ offense.
In the end, the Buffs fell just shy of extending their season. For seniors Anaëlle Dutat and Masogayo, it’s a hard end for a team that came together on and off the court.
“I’ve never been on a team like this, where actually everyone really enjoys each other,” Dutat said. “[And that] translated to the court, and we brought that chemistry and connection together.”
The Buffs will look to keep much of their roster together this offseason, in contrast to the complete rebuild of last year. Payne has led Colorado to four NCAA tournament appearances so far, and will hope to continue building on that with just two graduating seniors.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Lila Nuttle at lila.nutle@colorado.edu.
