Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: Asher Vandevort
Women's Basketball 2017 In Review
December 30, 2017 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER - There were a number of highlight moments in the 2017 portion of JR Payne's first year as Colorado's head coach, including Payne's first Pac-12 win, a victory over Arizona in early January.
But the most-memorable moment may have in February, when the Buffs traveled to Berkeley and knocked of No. 24 Cal on the Bears' home court, 64-59. Zoe Correal led the way for CU with 16 points and 15 rebounds, but she had plenty of help. Alexis Robinson hit a trio of 3-pointers and finished with 15 points, Kennedy Leonard added a huge 3-pointer in the final minute and Monica Burich came up with a clutch steal with just 12 seconds remaining.
The Buffs led for virtually the entire game, but their lead was cut down to two points down the stretch, 59-57, before Leonard buried her decisive 3-pointer. Burich then notched her key steal, leading to two Leonard free throws to clinch the win.
The win snapped a 16-game Pac-12 road losing streak for the Buffs, and also gave CU its first road win over a ranked team since 2007.
Equally importantly, the win was the springboard to a 17-16 overall finish, including a 12-6 record at home. While the Buffs suffered an opening-round loss in the Pac-12 tournament, they nevertheless earned a WNIT bid and made the most of their postseason appearance. The Buffs knocked off UNLV, 66-52, in their WNIT opener, then beat South Dakota State, 81-75 in two overtimes, to advance to the Sweet 16.
The run finally ended with a loss at Iowa, but not before clinching the program's first winning season since 2013-14.
Women's Basketball Notes
"Winning on your opponent's home floor is the most difficult challenge for a college basketball team, regardless of whether it be conference play, post-season play, or non-conference competition. My favorite memories of 2017 for the Colorado women's basketball team are the true road victories in each of those categories!
"On February 12, 2017, CU upset #24 nationally ranked Cal in Berkeley, in front of 3,024 fans including many of Zoe Correal's family and friends for the first road win in the PAC -12 for 1st year head coach, JR Payne. Zoe's double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds against the highly decorated post player from Cal, 6'4" Kristine Anigwe led the Buffs to a 64-59 victory.
"On March 19, 2017, In post-season play, Colorado was sent to South Dakota in Round Two of the Women's National Invitational Tournament. Competing in a smaller arena filled with 2,793 Jackrabbit fans, CU displayed a lot of mental toughness to win 81-75 in overtime to advance to the Sweet 16 of the WNIT.
"The final big road win of 2017 was in Fort Collins where CSU awaited the Buffs on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Freshman Annika Jank scored 22 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, playing 36 minutes as a freshman in a rivalry game, to lead CU to another big road win for 2017, 70-67!"
But the most-memorable moment may have in February, when the Buffs traveled to Berkeley and knocked of No. 24 Cal on the Bears' home court, 64-59. Zoe Correal led the way for CU with 16 points and 15 rebounds, but she had plenty of help. Alexis Robinson hit a trio of 3-pointers and finished with 15 points, Kennedy Leonard added a huge 3-pointer in the final minute and Monica Burich came up with a clutch steal with just 12 seconds remaining.
The Buffs led for virtually the entire game, but their lead was cut down to two points down the stretch, 59-57, before Leonard buried her decisive 3-pointer. Burich then notched her key steal, leading to two Leonard free throws to clinch the win.
The win snapped a 16-game Pac-12 road losing streak for the Buffs, and also gave CU its first road win over a ranked team since 2007.
Equally importantly, the win was the springboard to a 17-16 overall finish, including a 12-6 record at home. While the Buffs suffered an opening-round loss in the Pac-12 tournament, they nevertheless earned a WNIT bid and made the most of their postseason appearance. The Buffs knocked off UNLV, 66-52, in their WNIT opener, then beat South Dakota State, 81-75 in two overtimes, to advance to the Sweet 16.
The run finally ended with a loss at Iowa, but not before clinching the program's first winning season since 2013-14.
Women's Basketball Notes
- Finished 2016-17 season 17-16 overall under first-year head coach JR Payne after winning just seven games in 2015-16
- Made the third round of the WNIT, the first postseason appearance since 2014
- Kennedy Leonard was named first-team All-Pac-12 and broke the CU record for assists in a season
- Has started 2017-18 with a 6-1 record, including a win over No. 24 Miami
- Key Moments:
- Upset No. 24 Cal on Feb. 12, snapping a 16-game road losing streak in Pac-12 games and the first win on the road over a ranked team since 2007
- Haley Smith (Feb. 19) and Kennedy Leonard (Nov. 25) both go over 1,000 points in their careers
"Winning on your opponent's home floor is the most difficult challenge for a college basketball team, regardless of whether it be conference play, post-season play, or non-conference competition. My favorite memories of 2017 for the Colorado women's basketball team are the true road victories in each of those categories!
"On February 12, 2017, CU upset #24 nationally ranked Cal in Berkeley, in front of 3,024 fans including many of Zoe Correal's family and friends for the first road win in the PAC -12 for 1st year head coach, JR Payne. Zoe's double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds against the highly decorated post player from Cal, 6'4" Kristine Anigwe led the Buffs to a 64-59 victory.
"On March 19, 2017, In post-season play, Colorado was sent to South Dakota in Round Two of the Women's National Invitational Tournament. Competing in a smaller arena filled with 2,793 Jackrabbit fans, CU displayed a lot of mental toughness to win 81-75 in overtime to advance to the Sweet 16 of the WNIT.
"The final big road win of 2017 was in Fort Collins where CSU awaited the Buffs on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Freshman Annika Jank scored 22 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, playing 36 minutes as a freshman in a rivalry game, to lead CU to another big road win for 2017, 70-67!"
Players Mentioned
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