Tuesday, November 22
Fargo, N.D.
4:00 PM
Colorado
4-0
76
at
59
North Dakota State
1-3
1
2
3
4
F
Colorado
15
18
22
21
76
North Dakota State
14
12
16
17
59
Zoe Correal
Photo by: Robert Trubia/Northern Colorado Athletics
Correal's Double-Double Leads Buffs To 4-0 Start
November 22, 2016 | Women's Basketball
FARGO, N.D. - The Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team traveled to Fargo, N.D. and got the 76-59 win over North Dakota State at Scheels Center earlier today.
It was head coach JR Payne's fourth win here at CU and currently sits undefeated for the season. She is the third coach in CU history to start her career 4-0.
The Buffs defense once again was in the spotlight tonight led by junior Zoe Correal who saw her first career double-double. CU's strong defense gave way to late fourth quarter offensive scoring points, allowing the Buffs to run the Bison off the court.
It's the first time since 2013 that CU has started the season 4-0. The Buffs look to continue their undefeated season this weekend as they tip off the Omni Classic at home against St. Francis (New York) at 11 a.m. MT.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Despite slow, offensive efforts this afternoon the Buffs were able to rely on their strong defense to make opportunities offensively.
After getting down by five the Buffs went on a six-point run to put them up 15-14 at the end of the first period. CU took advantage of NDSU's seven turnovers in the first period to go on the six-point run. The Buffs utilized the dribble and took advantage of the ball with the help of Correal and Makenzie Ellis. Together they had 10 rebounds in the first half.
"We've asked her to be a great presence in the paint and be a great screener," Coach Payne said of Correal. "She's setting great screens and getting people open and [tonight] she was the recipient of a lot of that great screen work."
The defense was the highlight throughout the remainder of the first half. The Bison struggled with the Buffs size inside the paint as CU made strong efforts to get their hands on loose balls. Kennedy Leonard led the team with 10 points in the first half.
"It was a little sluggish through most of the first half, but the second half, we really picked up the intensity defensively," Coach Payne said. "Which always triggers good stuff for us offensively."
Late third period turnovers by the Buffs got the game within six but the Bison couldn't convert. After a tough dribble and a layup by Freeman, the Buffs cruised the remainder of the game and the Bison saw three-minute scoring drought. Leonard sunk a 3-pointer late in the third, before she sat the rest of the game as she got in foul trouble with four fouls.
We got a better glimpse of CU offensively in the second half as they started to get some rhythm from the court. They shot 58.8 percent from the field in the fourth period. The Buffs shot 46 points inside the paint, compared to the Bisons six. The Buffs saw their largest lead of the night in the fourth-quarter, up by 21 after a jumper by Brecca Thomas.
TURNING POINT: Trailing 14-9 in the first period the Buffs went on a six-point run to get the 15-14 lead at the end of first and never lost it the rest of the afternoon. Ellis got a block and Thomas took it down the court for a jumper to start the run.
CU STANDOUTS: Zoe Correal did a great job utilizing her rebounding and turning offensive rebounds into easy layups. She had her first career double-double with 10 rebounds and 10 points, along with 6 blocks and 3 steals. … Ellis saw her second and third 3-pointers of her career this afternoon. She also tacked on 5 rebounds ... ... Kennedy Leonard scored a team-high 17 points, followed by 13 from Ariana Freeman off the bench and 10 points.
KEY STATISTICS: The Buffs had 46 points from the paint, 30 points from off the bench and 27 points off turnovers. … They shot 62.5 percent from the free-throw line. … Collectively the Buffs had 10 blocked shots.
NOTEWORTHY: Head coach JR Payne is just the third coach in CU history to start her career 4-0 and the first since Ceal Barry in 1983. … The last time CU began the season 4-0 was back in 2013 under Coach Linda Lappe. … Ellis's two 3-point field goals were the second and third of her career. … Quinessa Caylao-Do scored her first career field goal with 5:45 left in the third quarter. … It was Correal's second career game with 10+ rebounds and her first career double-double. … Correal's six blocked shots were the most since Rachel Hargis had seven in a win over Louisville on Dec. 14, 2012. … CU's 10 blocked shots as a team were the most since Nov. 14, 2014 against North Dakota.
QUOTEWORTHY: "Honestly, I think we needed that because we've been shooting the ball really well and we need to know that you can't win ballgames consistently just by knocking down jumpers. You have to be able to make adjustments as individuals, as a team and be able to get ourselves to the free throw line, get ourselves in the paint, get ourselves on the glass. We needed to have this experience of not really shooting the ball well, but still being able to grind out he win." - CU Coach JR Payne on the toughness to grind out win
"I just really wanted those boards. Those players really did work hard to box me out, but I feel like I kind of put my mind to it, dug in, and went for them." - CU's Zoe Correal on first career double-double
WHAT IT MEANS: After their second road game of the season, the Buffs are now 4-0 and next up on their schedule is St. Francis (1-2). They head home rolling with confidence especially within their defense. As long as they monitor foul trouble and continue improving their shooting efficiency in the paint, Payne's team could see more success this weekend.
NEXT UP: The Buffs return home to Coors Events Center this weekend to kickoff the Omni Classic. On Friday, Nov. 25 they will take on St. Francis (New York). Depending upon game outcomes, they will either face Boston College or SMU on Saturday with a tip off time of 11 a.m.
It was head coach JR Payne's fourth win here at CU and currently sits undefeated for the season. She is the third coach in CU history to start her career 4-0.
The Buffs defense once again was in the spotlight tonight led by junior Zoe Correal who saw her first career double-double. CU's strong defense gave way to late fourth quarter offensive scoring points, allowing the Buffs to run the Bison off the court.
It's the first time since 2013 that CU has started the season 4-0. The Buffs look to continue their undefeated season this weekend as they tip off the Omni Classic at home against St. Francis (New York) at 11 a.m. MT.
HOW IT HAPPENED: Despite slow, offensive efforts this afternoon the Buffs were able to rely on their strong defense to make opportunities offensively.
After getting down by five the Buffs went on a six-point run to put them up 15-14 at the end of the first period. CU took advantage of NDSU's seven turnovers in the first period to go on the six-point run. The Buffs utilized the dribble and took advantage of the ball with the help of Correal and Makenzie Ellis. Together they had 10 rebounds in the first half.
"We've asked her to be a great presence in the paint and be a great screener," Coach Payne said of Correal. "She's setting great screens and getting people open and [tonight] she was the recipient of a lot of that great screen work."
The defense was the highlight throughout the remainder of the first half. The Bison struggled with the Buffs size inside the paint as CU made strong efforts to get their hands on loose balls. Kennedy Leonard led the team with 10 points in the first half.
"It was a little sluggish through most of the first half, but the second half, we really picked up the intensity defensively," Coach Payne said. "Which always triggers good stuff for us offensively."
Late third period turnovers by the Buffs got the game within six but the Bison couldn't convert. After a tough dribble and a layup by Freeman, the Buffs cruised the remainder of the game and the Bison saw three-minute scoring drought. Leonard sunk a 3-pointer late in the third, before she sat the rest of the game as she got in foul trouble with four fouls.
We got a better glimpse of CU offensively in the second half as they started to get some rhythm from the court. They shot 58.8 percent from the field in the fourth period. The Buffs shot 46 points inside the paint, compared to the Bisons six. The Buffs saw their largest lead of the night in the fourth-quarter, up by 21 after a jumper by Brecca Thomas.
TURNING POINT: Trailing 14-9 in the first period the Buffs went on a six-point run to get the 15-14 lead at the end of first and never lost it the rest of the afternoon. Ellis got a block and Thomas took it down the court for a jumper to start the run.
CU STANDOUTS: Zoe Correal did a great job utilizing her rebounding and turning offensive rebounds into easy layups. She had her first career double-double with 10 rebounds and 10 points, along with 6 blocks and 3 steals. … Ellis saw her second and third 3-pointers of her career this afternoon. She also tacked on 5 rebounds ... ... Kennedy Leonard scored a team-high 17 points, followed by 13 from Ariana Freeman off the bench and 10 points.
KEY STATISTICS: The Buffs had 46 points from the paint, 30 points from off the bench and 27 points off turnovers. … They shot 62.5 percent from the free-throw line. … Collectively the Buffs had 10 blocked shots.
NOTEWORTHY: Head coach JR Payne is just the third coach in CU history to start her career 4-0 and the first since Ceal Barry in 1983. … The last time CU began the season 4-0 was back in 2013 under Coach Linda Lappe. … Ellis's two 3-point field goals were the second and third of her career. … Quinessa Caylao-Do scored her first career field goal with 5:45 left in the third quarter. … It was Correal's second career game with 10+ rebounds and her first career double-double. … Correal's six blocked shots were the most since Rachel Hargis had seven in a win over Louisville on Dec. 14, 2012. … CU's 10 blocked shots as a team were the most since Nov. 14, 2014 against North Dakota.
QUOTEWORTHY: "Honestly, I think we needed that because we've been shooting the ball really well and we need to know that you can't win ballgames consistently just by knocking down jumpers. You have to be able to make adjustments as individuals, as a team and be able to get ourselves to the free throw line, get ourselves in the paint, get ourselves on the glass. We needed to have this experience of not really shooting the ball well, but still being able to grind out he win." - CU Coach JR Payne on the toughness to grind out win
"I just really wanted those boards. Those players really did work hard to box me out, but I feel like I kind of put my mind to it, dug in, and went for them." - CU's Zoe Correal on first career double-double
WHAT IT MEANS: After their second road game of the season, the Buffs are now 4-0 and next up on their schedule is St. Francis (1-2). They head home rolling with confidence especially within their defense. As long as they monitor foul trouble and continue improving their shooting efficiency in the paint, Payne's team could see more success this weekend.
NEXT UP: The Buffs return home to Coors Events Center this weekend to kickoff the Omni Classic. On Friday, Nov. 25 they will take on St. Francis (New York). Depending upon game outcomes, they will either face Boston College or SMU on Saturday with a tip off time of 11 a.m.
Team Stats
COLO
NDSUWBB
FG%
.457
.313
3FG%
.350
.364
FT%
.625
.694
RB
34
44
TO
14
23
STL
16
7
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballC
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballDesiree Wooten at media day ahead of the 2025-26 season #gobuffs
Monday, October 13
Erianna Gooden at media day ahead of the 2025-26 season #gobuffs
Monday, October 13
Jade Masogayo at media day ahead of the 2025-26 season #gobuffs
Monday, October 13
JoJo Nworie at media day ahead of the 2025-26 season #gobuffs
Monday, October 13