Saturday, November 26
Boulder, Colo.
11:00 AM
Colorado
6-0
67
vs
50
SMU
4-2
1
2
3
4
F
SMU
10
6
19
15
50
Colorado
22
12
12
21
67
Zoe Correal battles with several SMU players for a rebound.
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Buffs Capture Omni Hotels Championship, Move To 6-0 This Season
November 26, 2016 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER – The Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball team earned their 20th Omni Hotels Classic championship today with the 67-50 win over SMU. Under first-year head coach JR Payne, this is the ninth time the Buffs have began a season 6-0, the last being in 2013.
Leading the way for the Buffs was senior Haley Smith, who was awarded the MVP of the tournament. Smith had one of the best games of her career today with career bests of 26 points, five 3-point field goals and four blocked shots.
Next up for the Buffs is Southeastern Louisiana at Coors next Wednesday, Nov. 30 with a 12 p.m. MT tip-off time.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Buffs came out strong in the first quarter, shooting 47 percent from the field and 4-for-5 for 3-pointers. Out of Colorado's 22 points, Leonard and Smith combined for 19. Smith hit a career best five three-pointers, and three of those came from the first quarter.
Defense once again provided the offense opportunities, as the Buffs scored 31 points off of turnovers. Freeman totaled 6 points in the second quarter alone, along with two assists and one rebound. The Buffs went to the locker room with a comfortable lead of 18.
The second half was no different of a story for the Buffs. Colorado was efficient with utilizing the turnovers as it forced 31. It was the most forced turnovers the Buffs have had since they forced 35 against Regis University in 2010.
"Our ability to defend, be aggressive, to create easy offensive opportunities. They've just really bought into what we're trying to do defensively and it's paid off big time," said Payne.
We got a glimpse into the depth the Buffs have defensively today. Monica Burch led the team with six rebounds. Zoe Correal and true-freshman Quinessa Caylao-Do both had five rebounds apiece. Alexis Robinson had three rebounds, shot for six points and had three assists.
TURNING POINT: This game was decided from the first minutes, as the Buffs got off to a quick lead from the first possession when Smith hit a three-pointer and they never lost it from the start.
CU STANDOUTS: Smith led the way today with 26 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals and four blocks. Her five three-point field goals was a career best and she tied her career blocks. … Leonard, who was also named to the all-tournament team, had 13 points, seven assists, three steals and one rebound. Monica Burich added 11 points and six rebounds off the bench in just 10 minutes.
KEY STATISTICS: Despite high-scoring efforts by Smith, today's game was the lowest field goal percentage for CU this season, shooting just 36.6 percent from the field. The Buffs will look to increase shooting efficiency from the field. … They totaled 39 rebounds and 31 turnovers that helped give the offense the opportunities they needed.
NOTEWORTHY: Last time the Buffs began the season 6-0 was in 2013 under head coach Linda Lappe, and it's the ninth time in CU history they've started the season 6-0. … 31 turnovers are the most forced since CU forced 35 against Regis University in 2010. … It was the lowest field goal percentage for CU this season, with 36.6 percent.
QUOTEWORTHY: "Just so proud. I just talked to the team about the best teams that I've ever coached have [had players that] averaged 13, 12 or nine like we don't have to have someone score like this one [Haley Smith] did tonight. But the consistency that we're continuing showing on both sides of the floor, as a coach, is very exciting. Really proud of our effort, excited to win another ball game and keep on getting better." CU's head coach JR Payne on win today.
"I think I just had teammates that were just finding me when I was open. I'd say I didn't really create a lot of those shots, people just found me when I was open and I was just able to knock them down. I'd say a lot of the credit goes to the people who could find me when I was open, I had people driving, penetrating and picking out the shooters." CU's Haley Smith on big game.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Buffs are 6-0 for the season and stay at home this week, potentially extending their winning streak to seven. Smith is becoming a dominant role player within the Buffs and as a senior, her leadership is shining. Along with Leonard they look to make an exciting duo for this season.
NEXT UP: The Buffs continue their homestead next Wednesday, Nov. 30 as they take on Southeastern Louisiana. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. MT and it will be streamed on Colorado Live.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Haley Smith, Colorado (MVP); Kennedy Leonard, Colorado; Alicia Froling, SMU; Kelly Hughes, Boston College; Maria Palarino, St. Francis Brooklyn
Leading the way for the Buffs was senior Haley Smith, who was awarded the MVP of the tournament. Smith had one of the best games of her career today with career bests of 26 points, five 3-point field goals and four blocked shots.
Next up for the Buffs is Southeastern Louisiana at Coors next Wednesday, Nov. 30 with a 12 p.m. MT tip-off time.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Buffs came out strong in the first quarter, shooting 47 percent from the field and 4-for-5 for 3-pointers. Out of Colorado's 22 points, Leonard and Smith combined for 19. Smith hit a career best five three-pointers, and three of those came from the first quarter.
Defense once again provided the offense opportunities, as the Buffs scored 31 points off of turnovers. Freeman totaled 6 points in the second quarter alone, along with two assists and one rebound. The Buffs went to the locker room with a comfortable lead of 18.
The second half was no different of a story for the Buffs. Colorado was efficient with utilizing the turnovers as it forced 31. It was the most forced turnovers the Buffs have had since they forced 35 against Regis University in 2010.
"Our ability to defend, be aggressive, to create easy offensive opportunities. They've just really bought into what we're trying to do defensively and it's paid off big time," said Payne.
We got a glimpse into the depth the Buffs have defensively today. Monica Burch led the team with six rebounds. Zoe Correal and true-freshman Quinessa Caylao-Do both had five rebounds apiece. Alexis Robinson had three rebounds, shot for six points and had three assists.
TURNING POINT: This game was decided from the first minutes, as the Buffs got off to a quick lead from the first possession when Smith hit a three-pointer and they never lost it from the start.
CU STANDOUTS: Smith led the way today with 26 points, three rebounds, two assists, three steals and four blocks. Her five three-point field goals was a career best and she tied her career blocks. … Leonard, who was also named to the all-tournament team, had 13 points, seven assists, three steals and one rebound. Monica Burich added 11 points and six rebounds off the bench in just 10 minutes.
KEY STATISTICS: Despite high-scoring efforts by Smith, today's game was the lowest field goal percentage for CU this season, shooting just 36.6 percent from the field. The Buffs will look to increase shooting efficiency from the field. … They totaled 39 rebounds and 31 turnovers that helped give the offense the opportunities they needed.
NOTEWORTHY: Last time the Buffs began the season 6-0 was in 2013 under head coach Linda Lappe, and it's the ninth time in CU history they've started the season 6-0. … 31 turnovers are the most forced since CU forced 35 against Regis University in 2010. … It was the lowest field goal percentage for CU this season, with 36.6 percent.
QUOTEWORTHY: "Just so proud. I just talked to the team about the best teams that I've ever coached have [had players that] averaged 13, 12 or nine like we don't have to have someone score like this one [Haley Smith] did tonight. But the consistency that we're continuing showing on both sides of the floor, as a coach, is very exciting. Really proud of our effort, excited to win another ball game and keep on getting better." CU's head coach JR Payne on win today.
"I think I just had teammates that were just finding me when I was open. I'd say I didn't really create a lot of those shots, people just found me when I was open and I was just able to knock them down. I'd say a lot of the credit goes to the people who could find me when I was open, I had people driving, penetrating and picking out the shooters." CU's Haley Smith on big game.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Buffs are 6-0 for the season and stay at home this week, potentially extending their winning streak to seven. Smith is becoming a dominant role player within the Buffs and as a senior, her leadership is shining. Along with Leonard they look to make an exciting duo for this season.
NEXT UP: The Buffs continue their homestead next Wednesday, Nov. 30 as they take on Southeastern Louisiana. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. MT and it will be streamed on Colorado Live.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Haley Smith, Colorado (MVP); Kennedy Leonard, Colorado; Alicia Froling, SMU; Kelly Hughes, Boston College; Maria Palarino, St. Francis Brooklyn
Team Stats
SMU
COLO
FG%
.321
.366
3FG%
.182
.350
FT%
.538
.615
RB
49
39
TO
31
16
STL
7
19
Game Leaders
Pts
26
FGM
10
3FGM
5
FTM
1
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG/F
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