November 5th 2024.
On a chilly November evening in Laramie, Wyoming, the Colorado women's basketball team took on their rivals, the Wyoming Cowgirls, at the Arena-Auditorium. The Buffs, led by their coach JR Payne, had a young team with many new faces, making it difficult for Payne to predict who would step up in crucial moments. However, on this opening night, one player proved to be the game-changer for the Buffs.
Senior Lior Garzon, a transfer from Oklahoma State, had a standout performance, scoring 20 points and securing the 900th victory in the program's history. As the game came down to the wire, Garzon confidently sank a long jumper with only 42 seconds left, securing a four-point lead for the Buffs. She then went on to make three out of four free throws in the final 33 seconds, solidifying the win for her team.
Coach Payne praised Garzon's fearlessness and willingness to take charge in crucial moments. But she also commended the entire team for their contributions throughout the game. Senior Sara-Rose Smith had an impressive performance with six points and 11 rebounds, while Nyamer Diew and Jade Masogayo also made significant contributions.
Despite the eventual win, the Buffs had a tough start to the game, struggling with their shooting in the first half. However, a strong third quarter propelled them forward, and they managed to build an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Cowgirls, led by star center Allyson Fertig, fought back and cut the lead to only two points, making for a nail-biting last minute. But Garzon's clutch shot and the team's strong defense ultimately secured the victory for the Buffs.
Garzon spoke about the team's determination to win, no matter the circumstances. She also acknowledged that in the next game, it could be someone else who steps up for the team. But on this night, it was her, and she delivered.
Coach Payne emphasized the importance of this win, especially in a tough environment like Laramie. She praised the team's resilience and their ability to overcome challenges, stating that it provided an excellent opportunity for them to learn and grow.
The Buffs' shooting statistics were not impressive, with only 33.9% of their shots going in, and a rare 0-for-5 performance from the three-point range. They also struggled at the free-throw line, making only 13 out of 24 attempts. However, they made up for it with their exceptional defense and dominant rebounding in the second half.
Notable achievements from this game include the Buffs' 25th consecutive season opener win and a career milestone for senior Kindyll Wetta, who played her 100th game for the team. Freshman Tabitha Betson also made history by becoming the first freshman to start a season opener for the Buffs since 2017.
The Buffs will now look to carry this momentum into their next game against Northern Colorado, the home opener at the CU Events Center. Senior Sara-Rose Smith emphasized the importance of grinding out a win, even if it wasn't the prettiest game, and moving forward with confidence.
As the team celebrates their first victory of the season, they will also be without senior Frida Formann, who was sidelined due to a foot injury. But the Buffs have proven that they have the depth and resilience to overcome obstacles and come out on top. And that is exactly what they did on this memorable opening night in Wyoming.
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