Colorado University Athletics
Wednesday, December 21
Boulder, Colo.
7:00 PM
Colorado
10-1
75
vs
82
Wyoming
8-3
1
2
3
4
F
Wyoming
13
19
19
31
82
Colorado
18
13
15
29
75
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Wyoming Stuns No. 15 CU 82-75 Despite Leonard’s Big Finish
December 21, 2016 | Women's Basketball, B.G. Brooks
Sophomore guard scores Buffs’ final 20 points, 22 in fourth quarter
BOULDER – Scoring a school-record 22 fourth-quarter points, Kennedy Leonard did her best to rally the unbeaten No. 15 Colorado women's basketball team on Wednesday night.
But she and the Buffaloes fell short.
Wyoming left the Coors Events Center with a stunning 82-75 win, snapping CU's 10-game winning streak and defeating the Buffs for the second consecutive year.
Leonard's game-best 29 points included 24 in the second half and CU's final 20, bringing the Buffs back from a 10-point deficit and to within 69-67 with 2:09 remaining.
But Zoe Correal missed a layup that would have tied the score, Wyoming answered with a 3-pointer and CU never got closer than three points in the final 2 minutes.
"We knew that we would come to the podium after a loss at some point," first-year CU coach JR Payne said. "Wyoming is a great team, they're tough, they're very well coached, they did the things they needed to down the stretch to win the ball game, knocking down free throws. (But) the outcome is disappointing."
Leonard tied the school record for most points in a half – 24 in the second – and set a CU mark for most field goals in a quarter – seven in the fourth.
"We were down by two and I think any moment when you're down by two you feel like you can win that game," Leonard said. "Sometimes things don't go your way and everything is a learning moment. We have to just use this to our advantage in getting ready for Pac-12 play and be ready when those games come."
Also scoring in double figures for the Buffs were Makenzie Ellis (16) and Ariana Freeman (15).
Wyoming had four players in double figures, topped by Liv Roberts with 21.
HOW IT HAPPENED: With Freeman coming off the bench and scoring seven quick points, the Buffs led 18-13 – their largest early lead – after one period. The last basket of the quarter was indicative of CU's early effort – swarming defense that created four steals and six Wyoming turnovers.
CU's final points came courtesy of a layup by Alexis Robinson, assisted by Leonard after a turnover, with 10 seconds left in the period.
The Cowgirls led only once (11-10) in the opening quarter, but they remained undaunted by their five-point deficit at the period's end. And the Buffs' inaccuracy (6-of-10) at the free throw line helped.
Wyoming opened the second quarter with an 8-2 run, taking a 21-20 lead on Roberts' conventional 3-point play with 6:29 left before the half.
From there until the break, the lead changed hands six times, with ties at 25-25 and 29-29. The Cowgirls closed out the half with consecutive 3-pointers by Taylor Rusk and Marta Gomez to take a 32-31 halftime lead.
The energetic Freeman led the Buffs with 11 first-half points, while Roberts' 15 points – she was averaging 13.7 – topped the Cowgirls and created defensive problems for CU in the second quarter. Wyoming shot 53.8 percent (7-of-13) from the field in the period.
The Buffs' top two scorers – Leonard (18.1 ppg) and Robinson (12.8) – combined for only nine first-half points on 3-of-9 shooting between them. Leonard bounced back in the final two quarters, Robinson scored five more points and finished with nine, while Haley Smith went scoreless (0-for-5 from the field).
CU opened the second half with a 3-pointer from the left wing by Ellis, taking a 34-32 lead. But the Cowgirls answered that – and then some.
Wyoming reeled off 10 consecutive points, going up 42-34 and prompting a timeout by Payne with 6:38 left in the period. Time wasn't yet a problem for the Buffs, and Leonard was about to warm up.
The Cowgirls retained leads of six and eight points until Robinson hit a trey at the 4:32 mark, drawing the Buffs to within 44-39. But a 7-3 run put Wyoming up 51-41, creating CU's largest deficit of the season.
A strong response was needed, and the Buffs closed out the third quarter with a 5-0 run – a layup by Freeman and a trey by Ellis – to trail only 51-46 with a period to play.
The Buffs came up empty on their first three possessions of the fourth quarter and fell behind 53-46 on a layup by Ciara Tapia. Leonard answered with a pair of free throws (53-48) and CU cut the deficit to 55-53 on another Ellis trey.
But a two-point deficit quickly became 10 again; an 8-0 run by the Cowgirls – Natalie Baker and Marta Gomez sparked it with back-to-back treys – sent Wyoming ahead 63-53 with just 5:15 remaining.
CU and Leonard weren't done. Behind her 12 consecutive points, the Buffs crept to within 69-67 with 2:09 to play. Her assist to Correal for a layup would have tied the score, but
Correal missed it and Gomez retaliated with a trey to push Wyoming ahead 72-67 at the 57-second mark.
Eight seconds later, a Leonard layup brought the Buffs to 72-69 but it was as close as they would come. Wyoming hit 10 of 10 free throws down the stretch and left with the upset.
TURNING POINT: After the Buffs had battled back from a 10-point deficit and pulled to within 69-67, Correal's missed layup gave the gasping Cowgirls new life. Gomez restored Wyoming's five-point lead with her trey and CU never got closer than three points again.
CU STANDOUTS: Leonard scored 22 of her game-best 29 points in the fourth quarter. She hit 9-of-19 from the field, 2-of-7 from 3-point range and 9-of-13 free throws . . . . Ellis went 4-of-4 from beyond the arc and finished with 16 points . . . . In her normal reserve role, Freeman scored 15 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
KEY STATISTICS: The Buffs allowed the Cowgirls to shoot 50 percent from the field (27-of-54) . . . . CU finished with 15 turnovers to Wyoming's 13 . . . . Wyoming's bench outscored CU's 30-17 . . . . The Buffs were 14-of-21 from the free throw line, the Cowgirls 19-of-23 – including 16-of-16 in the final 4:12 . . . . Wyoming finished with 23 assists to CU's 13 . . . . The Buffs shot just 40.9 percent (27-of-66) from the field.
WHAT IT MEANS: CU finished non-conference play with a surprising 10-1 record and No. 15 national ranking – two accomplishments that no one expected. After a Christmas break, the Buffs must regroup and ready themselves for Pac-12 play.
NOTEWORTHY: CU entered Wednesday night chasing the fifth 11-0 start in the history of the school's women's basketball program . . . . The Buffs held a 37-10 series lead against the Cowgirls prior to Wednesday's meeting . . . . Wyoming won last year's contest 77-68, snapping a five-game CU winning streak in the series . . . . Steal City: The Buffs entered their final non-conference game averaging a nation-leading 14.8 steals a game. Their 148 steals was tied for third nationally. They managed just six steals against Wyoming . . . . Wednesday's attendance was 1,982 . . . . Freeman's eight rebounds were a season-high . . . . Ellis' 16 points were a season-high . . . . Leonard broke her own CU record for points in a quarter – 15 at UNC on Nov. 11, 2016 . . . . Her 24 points in the second half tied Susan Horner's school record set in 1979 against Weber State.
QUOTEWORTHY: "I think there's a lot we can learn from this game in just really sticking to who we are, I think we got outside of ourselves a little bit in the first half, the second half I thought was more who we are." – CU coach JR Payne
"I thought it was a heck of a ballgame. Colorado is well-coached and highly talented, we had to bring the best game we could muster. It went right down to the last twenty/thirty seconds and Marta Gomez hit a big three for us with about a minute to go." – Wyoming coach Joe Legerski
"I think it'll be good. Obviously we have family here but it's always good to see your family at home and take a little mental break. When we come back we'll be able to attack it again." – Leonard on the upcoming Christmas break
"I think I knew I had to step up since people were struggling with their shots. I just came out like I do every game; work hard and take the open shots and crash. That's what I came to do and come to do every game." – Ellis on her performance
NEXT UP: The Buffs are off until they open Pac-12 play on Friday, Dec. 30 in Los Angeles against Southern California.
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
But she and the Buffaloes fell short.
Wyoming left the Coors Events Center with a stunning 82-75 win, snapping CU's 10-game winning streak and defeating the Buffs for the second consecutive year.
Leonard's game-best 29 points included 24 in the second half and CU's final 20, bringing the Buffs back from a 10-point deficit and to within 69-67 with 2:09 remaining.
But Zoe Correal missed a layup that would have tied the score, Wyoming answered with a 3-pointer and CU never got closer than three points in the final 2 minutes.
"We knew that we would come to the podium after a loss at some point," first-year CU coach JR Payne said. "Wyoming is a great team, they're tough, they're very well coached, they did the things they needed to down the stretch to win the ball game, knocking down free throws. (But) the outcome is disappointing."
Leonard tied the school record for most points in a half – 24 in the second – and set a CU mark for most field goals in a quarter – seven in the fourth.
"We were down by two and I think any moment when you're down by two you feel like you can win that game," Leonard said. "Sometimes things don't go your way and everything is a learning moment. We have to just use this to our advantage in getting ready for Pac-12 play and be ready when those games come."
Also scoring in double figures for the Buffs were Makenzie Ellis (16) and Ariana Freeman (15).
Wyoming had four players in double figures, topped by Liv Roberts with 21.
HOW IT HAPPENED: With Freeman coming off the bench and scoring seven quick points, the Buffs led 18-13 – their largest early lead – after one period. The last basket of the quarter was indicative of CU's early effort – swarming defense that created four steals and six Wyoming turnovers.
CU's final points came courtesy of a layup by Alexis Robinson, assisted by Leonard after a turnover, with 10 seconds left in the period.
The Cowgirls led only once (11-10) in the opening quarter, but they remained undaunted by their five-point deficit at the period's end. And the Buffs' inaccuracy (6-of-10) at the free throw line helped.
Wyoming opened the second quarter with an 8-2 run, taking a 21-20 lead on Roberts' conventional 3-point play with 6:29 left before the half.
From there until the break, the lead changed hands six times, with ties at 25-25 and 29-29. The Cowgirls closed out the half with consecutive 3-pointers by Taylor Rusk and Marta Gomez to take a 32-31 halftime lead.
The energetic Freeman led the Buffs with 11 first-half points, while Roberts' 15 points – she was averaging 13.7 – topped the Cowgirls and created defensive problems for CU in the second quarter. Wyoming shot 53.8 percent (7-of-13) from the field in the period.
The Buffs' top two scorers – Leonard (18.1 ppg) and Robinson (12.8) – combined for only nine first-half points on 3-of-9 shooting between them. Leonard bounced back in the final two quarters, Robinson scored five more points and finished with nine, while Haley Smith went scoreless (0-for-5 from the field).
CU opened the second half with a 3-pointer from the left wing by Ellis, taking a 34-32 lead. But the Cowgirls answered that – and then some.
Wyoming reeled off 10 consecutive points, going up 42-34 and prompting a timeout by Payne with 6:38 left in the period. Time wasn't yet a problem for the Buffs, and Leonard was about to warm up.
The Cowgirls retained leads of six and eight points until Robinson hit a trey at the 4:32 mark, drawing the Buffs to within 44-39. But a 7-3 run put Wyoming up 51-41, creating CU's largest deficit of the season.
A strong response was needed, and the Buffs closed out the third quarter with a 5-0 run – a layup by Freeman and a trey by Ellis – to trail only 51-46 with a period to play.
The Buffs came up empty on their first three possessions of the fourth quarter and fell behind 53-46 on a layup by Ciara Tapia. Leonard answered with a pair of free throws (53-48) and CU cut the deficit to 55-53 on another Ellis trey.
But a two-point deficit quickly became 10 again; an 8-0 run by the Cowgirls – Natalie Baker and Marta Gomez sparked it with back-to-back treys – sent Wyoming ahead 63-53 with just 5:15 remaining.
CU and Leonard weren't done. Behind her 12 consecutive points, the Buffs crept to within 69-67 with 2:09 to play. Her assist to Correal for a layup would have tied the score, but
Correal missed it and Gomez retaliated with a trey to push Wyoming ahead 72-67 at the 57-second mark.
Eight seconds later, a Leonard layup brought the Buffs to 72-69 but it was as close as they would come. Wyoming hit 10 of 10 free throws down the stretch and left with the upset.
TURNING POINT: After the Buffs had battled back from a 10-point deficit and pulled to within 69-67, Correal's missed layup gave the gasping Cowgirls new life. Gomez restored Wyoming's five-point lead with her trey and CU never got closer than three points again.
CU STANDOUTS: Leonard scored 22 of her game-best 29 points in the fourth quarter. She hit 9-of-19 from the field, 2-of-7 from 3-point range and 9-of-13 free throws . . . . Ellis went 4-of-4 from beyond the arc and finished with 16 points . . . . In her normal reserve role, Freeman scored 15 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
KEY STATISTICS: The Buffs allowed the Cowgirls to shoot 50 percent from the field (27-of-54) . . . . CU finished with 15 turnovers to Wyoming's 13 . . . . Wyoming's bench outscored CU's 30-17 . . . . The Buffs were 14-of-21 from the free throw line, the Cowgirls 19-of-23 – including 16-of-16 in the final 4:12 . . . . Wyoming finished with 23 assists to CU's 13 . . . . The Buffs shot just 40.9 percent (27-of-66) from the field.
WHAT IT MEANS: CU finished non-conference play with a surprising 10-1 record and No. 15 national ranking – two accomplishments that no one expected. After a Christmas break, the Buffs must regroup and ready themselves for Pac-12 play.
NOTEWORTHY: CU entered Wednesday night chasing the fifth 11-0 start in the history of the school's women's basketball program . . . . The Buffs held a 37-10 series lead against the Cowgirls prior to Wednesday's meeting . . . . Wyoming won last year's contest 77-68, snapping a five-game CU winning streak in the series . . . . Steal City: The Buffs entered their final non-conference game averaging a nation-leading 14.8 steals a game. Their 148 steals was tied for third nationally. They managed just six steals against Wyoming . . . . Wednesday's attendance was 1,982 . . . . Freeman's eight rebounds were a season-high . . . . Ellis' 16 points were a season-high . . . . Leonard broke her own CU record for points in a quarter – 15 at UNC on Nov. 11, 2016 . . . . Her 24 points in the second half tied Susan Horner's school record set in 1979 against Weber State.
QUOTEWORTHY: "I think there's a lot we can learn from this game in just really sticking to who we are, I think we got outside of ourselves a little bit in the first half, the second half I thought was more who we are." – CU coach JR Payne
"I thought it was a heck of a ballgame. Colorado is well-coached and highly talented, we had to bring the best game we could muster. It went right down to the last twenty/thirty seconds and Marta Gomez hit a big three for us with about a minute to go." – Wyoming coach Joe Legerski
"I think it'll be good. Obviously we have family here but it's always good to see your family at home and take a little mental break. When we come back we'll be able to attack it again." – Leonard on the upcoming Christmas break
"I think I knew I had to step up since people were struggling with their shots. I just came out like I do every game; work hard and take the open shots and crash. That's what I came to do and come to do every game." – Ellis on her performance
NEXT UP: The Buffs are off until they open Pac-12 play on Friday, Dec. 30 in Los Angeles against Southern California.
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
Team Stats
WY
COLO
FG%
.500
.409
3FG%
.474
.500
FT%
.826
.667
RB
31
38
TO
13
15
STL
9
6
Game Leaders
Pts
29
FGM
9
3FGM
2
FTM
9
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
C
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
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