LARAMIE, Wyo. ? Freshman Jackie McFarland led all scorers with a career-high 23 points and pulled down eight rebounds, but it was not enough as the Colorado Buffaloes fell to the Wyoming Cowgirls, 72-67, Wednesday.
Colorado (2-3) had a chance to take the lead in the final minute but Jasmina Ilic's 3-point attempt fell short. Wyoming (4-1) then made three free throws to put the game out of reach, including two from Ashley Elliott who led the Cowgirls with 21 points and nine rebounds.
“We made a lot of runs and we kept getting close, we just couldn't finish it out. We played a lot better as a team, it's more worthwhile to play as a team and it will help out more down the road,” said McFarland of the night.
Wyoming came out on fire in the first 5 1/2 minutes, shooting an amazing 86 percent from the floor including three of four from behind the arc. The Buffaloes only gave up 15 more field goals on 56 shots during the rest of the game. The damage, however, was done at the free-throw line and from 3-point range. The Cowgirls were 20-for-25 from the line and hit nine 3's to hold the Buffs at bay.
The Cowgirls hit the offensive boards all night and came down with 17.
“What killed us the most was boxing out. They got a lot of second chance opportunities and that's when they usually converted and that is what killed us,” McFarland said.
Down 12 points in the first half Colorado used a 10-3 run and a period ending 4-0 run to cut the deficit to six at the break. The defense also pitched into the effort holding the Cowgirls to just 2-for-14 shooting from the floor in the final eight minutes of the opening stanza.
Coach Ceal Barry was proud of the way her team responded to the adversity they faced tonight.
“We played well from behind. You're down 12, you're on the road, you can either roll over or you can fight back. I am pleased that they fought back they showed a lot of will. This is a game we can build on,” Barry said.
Colorado will try to build on the defeat when they return to the friendly confines of the Coors Events Center on Saturday, December 4, for a 3 p.m. tip-off against the Creighton University Bluejays. The original 7 p.m. start was pushed back to allow Buff fans to attend the game and to watch the football team in the Big 12 Championship game at 6 p.m.
