January 4th 2025.
In a highly anticipated game on January 4, 2025, the Colorado women's basketball team faced off against Baylor at Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas. The Buffaloes, led by Jade Masogayo, put up a tough fight against Aaronette Vonleh and the Bears. Despite their efforts, the Buffs ultimately fell short, losing 76-62.
Although Colorado is known for their resilience and determination, they found themselves in a tough spot early on in the game. However, they never backed down and managed to make a comeback twice, bringing the score within a few points. Unfortunately, their efforts were not enough to secure a win against a strong Baylor team.
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs led the way for the Bears, earning herself a double-double. Former Buffs player Aaronette Vonleh also had an impressive performance against her former team, scoring 15 points and making three steals. On the other hand, Jade Masogayo led the charge for the Buffaloes with 13 points and six rebounds. True freshman Grace Oliver also made a significant impact off the bench, showcasing her skills with seven points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
The Buffs started off strong, leading throughout the first quarter. However, they fell behind in the second quarter, with Baylor taking a nine-point lead. Kindyll Wetta and Johanna Teder's back-to-back 3-pointers brought the Buffs within three points at halftime. But, a slow start in the third quarter cost them dearly, as Baylor went on a 12-4 run, putting them ahead by 13 points.
Despite this, Colorado didn't give up and fought back, bringing the score within three points once again. However, Baylor's Jada Walker hit a three-pointer and drew a foul, resulting in a five-point play for the Bears. This sequence was a turning point in the game, as it gave Baylor an eight-point lead and demoralized the Buffs.
CU head coach JR Payne acknowledged the impact of this play, saying, "I think the biggest change in the game was the five-point play; when we brought it all the way back to three points, and then that's just a dagger." However, she also praised her team's resilience and fighting spirit, saying, "Proud of the way our team battled."
Unfortunately, the Buffs were unable to fully recover from this setback and trailed by at least ten points for the rest of the game. Despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome Baylor's strong offense and ended the game with a 14-point loss.
After a tough week in Texas, where they also lost to No. 11 TCU, the Buffs will now return home to face Central Florida on Wednesday. Coach Payne acknowledged the challenges of facing new teams and opponents this season, saying, "Everything for us this year is just brand new – new travel, new teams, new opponents, new faces, new styles of play – and we're just going to have to embrace it, learn from it, and move on."
Despite the loss, there were some positives for the Buffaloes. They managed to hold Baylor to just four three-pointers, a significant achievement against a team known for their outside shooting. However, they struggled offensively, shooting just 38.6% and committing 20 turnovers. These mistakes, along with foul trouble, allowed Baylor to go on several runs and ultimately win the game.
Senior Frida Formann, who has been a consistent shooter for the Buffs, had an off game, going 0-for-9 from beyond the arc. However, she still contributed with 10 points, while Grace Oliver's impressive performance off the bench earned her a spot as one of the top three players of the game.
The Buffs will look to bounce back and learn from this loss as they return home to face Central Florida on Wednesday. And, as Coach Payne emphasized, having a short memory and a positive attitude is crucial in a tough conference like theirs.
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