Colorado Opens Homestand on Thursday

BOULDER, Colo.—The Colorado women's basketball team begins a season-long seven-game homestand, hosting San Jose State on Thursday (7 p.m. MT). The stretch at the CU Events Center takes the team into the New Year and Pac-12 conference play.

CU suffered its first loss of the season on Sunday. The Buffaloes made a quick trip across the country to then No. 21/20 Miami. The longest trip of the season was no walk on the beach for the Buffs, resulting in a 73-58 finish. Miami shot 53.1 percent from the field while holding Colorado to 34.8 percent on the day.

The setback at Miami is being taken in stride by the young Buffs.

"The reality is we are not going 35-0 this season," head coach JR Payne explained. "I think it was a learning experience for us. We have faced adversity now at home and the road. To play an opponent like that—that is a Pac-12 style game on the road. For us to have that opportunity early on in the season is good for our young team. They just have to learn from it and bounce back."

Colorado mixed up the starting combination last week, inserting freshman Peanut Tuitele into the lineup. The decision paid off right away with Tuitele scoring 18 points in her first start against Pepperdine. She led the offense at Miami with 15 points, earning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors.

"She has just been so consistent for a freshman," Payne commented. "She is someone we rely on every day for great energy, enthusiasm and she is producing on the court."

San Jose State (1-5) comes to Boulder for the third time in the series. CU has won both of the previous meetings with the Spartans, the last being a 97-89 overtime-win in 2014.

The Spartans enter Thursday on a two-game skid. SJSU's lone win came against CSU Bakersfield (82-72), breaking a 0-3 start to the season. They have been productive from 3-point distance this season, ranking 23rd in the NCAA with 9.3 3's per game.

1,000 pts x 2: Alexis Robinson became the 31st player in CU history to reach 1,000 career points with 13 points at Miami. She joins teammate Kennedy Leonard as the only active Buffs with 1,000+ points. The two players have combined for 2,501 points.

Mountain West: CU is 3-0 this season against the Mountain West Conference. The Buffs have wins over Colorado State, Nevada and Utah State. The team is 7-1 against the MWC under JR Payne.

Six up six down: The Buffaloes won six straight to open the season. It was Colorado's longest streak since Nov. 15-Dec. 6, 2017 (6 games). CU's 6-1 start matches its open to the 2017-18 season.

Promotions: We are taking things back to the 1950s in the first Throwback Thursday game of the season. Fans can get $6 tickets with the promo code SJST at CUBuffs.com/promo. There will be a keychain giveaway, featuring a retro Ralphie logo.

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Players Mentioned

Kennedy Leonard

Alexis Robinson

Peanut Tuitele