RENO, Nev. ? Sophomore forward Anna Nedovic scored a career high 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Colorado past Loyola Marymount, 75-58, in the first round of the season-opening Nevada Nugget Classic Friday night at the Lawlor Events Center.
Nedovic, who hit 7-for-11 from the floor, is the first Buffalo to record a 20-point, 10-rebound double double since Tera Bjorklund had 26 and 11 against Washington early last season. Nedovic, making her second career start, also netted personal bests in field-goals made and attempted, free-throws made and attempted and 3-point field goals.
Four players scored in double digits for Colorado. Senior Veronica Johns-Richardson had 15 points, four assists and three steals. Kara Richards, who became the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Buffaloes since Linda Lappe in 1998, had 13 points and six rebounds. Junior guard Whitney Law had a career-high 10 points and five rebounds off the bench.
Colorado trailed 16-13 with 6:46 remaining in the first half before going on a 14-4 run to end the period. Loyola Marymount closed to within one at 33-32 with 15:53 in regulation, but the Buffs scored nine straight on 3-point field goals from Nedovic and Law with a 3-point play from Richards in between. Colorado, which shot 51.7 from the field in the second half (15-of-29), never let the lead dip below eight after its 9-0 run.
Loyola Marymount was led by Jevay Grooms who had 21 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Bianca Ziemann had nine points.
Colorado, which has won 17 of its last 18 season opening games, will play the host Nevada Wolfpack in the Nugget Classic championship game on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. MST.
