Learning Experiences Helping Buffs Grow

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The reminders are plastered all through the halls of the Champions Center and the CU Events Center. "The pride and tradition of the Colorado Buffaloes will not be entrusted to the timid or the weak."

The credo has echoed throughout the University of Colorado athletic department since its origin by legendary CU football coach Bill McCartney. It has never been truer for the CU women's basketball team.

The Buffaloes have battled through adversity all season long and are currently in one of the toughest stretches of the season. Bruised with injuries, the young Buffs have refused to give in.

"To have the sort of adversity that they have faced and combine that with such a young group—we've competed in every single game," head coach JR Payne noted. "There have been very few exceptions where we have hung our heads or really believed we cannot beat an opponent. We just aren't wired that way."

Colorado is coming off a weekend that started with an 80-69 defeat at the hands of No. 6 Stanford. The final score is not any indication of how the game played out. The Buffs won three of the four quarters against the Cardinal and held Stanford to 0-for-13 from 3-point range in the first half. CU had Stanford on upset alert, leading 36-28 at the half.

Stanford took control in the third quarter, scoring 32 points on 12 made field goals. CU bounced back in the fourth quarter, outscoring Stanford 21-20, cutting the deficit to single-digits late in the quarter.

"I was extremely proud that night [against Stanford]," Payne added. "We were down to eight players and every single player maximized their capability. That is our goal. To be the best versions of ourselves each day. For such a young group, it has been really hard to get that to happen. I really felt like we did that night."

The Buffs weekend closed with an 80-60 loss to California, that followed a similar pattern. The Buffs trailed by four at the end of the first quarter before Cal grew its lead to 49-31 at the half.

"We will play fantastic basketball for 30 minutes," Payne recalled. "Unfortunately, those 10 minutes where we aren't playing really good basketball is what does us in. I think some of that is youth but being young is not an excuse at this point. We have to continue to step up and not allow those moments to snowball."

Payne has featured four first-time starters in different lineup combinations. Sophomore Mya Hollingshed and freshman Peanut Tuitele have become featured players, while sophomore Peyton Carter and freshman Lesila Finau have been called upon to fill the vacant spot left by injured point guard Kennedy Leonard.

The growing pains have been evident at times. Every mistake or mishap in a practice or game becomes a new teaching moment for Payne and her staff. Each day offers a new lesson for the growing Buffs.

"I saw Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw tweet something about how so much of coaching now is about psychology and a lot less basketball," Payne continued. "We are really fortunate that we have a tremendous group of young women on our team. Even though we are struggling and this has been a difficult stretch, they are responding to the positives that we are trying to feed into them."

The Buffaloes remain in search of its first Pac-12 win, entering a difficult road stretch. CU will take on No. 9/11 Oregon State on Friday (8 p.m. MT) and continue on to No. 4/4 Oregon on Sunday (1 p.m MT).

Friday's game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network, while Sunday will be available through Oregon's live stream. Fans can listen to the Buffs all season long on AM 630 (KHOW).

The Game: Colorado and Oregon State meet up for the 15th time in series history on Friday. The Buffs are still in search of their first Pac-12 win, while the Beavers have just three losses all season and are ranked No. 9/11 in the respective rankings.

About the Buffaloes: Colorado sits at 10-9 this season. The Buffs have four players averaging double-figure scoring this season. Senior Kennedy Leonard (14.1 ppg) leads the group. Senior Alexis Robinson (11.3), junior Quinessa Caylao-Do (11.1) and sophomore Mya Hollingshed (11.2 ppg) round out the top-scorers.

About Oregon State: The Beavers have spent the entire season inside the top-10 of the Associated Press rankings, never dropping below 8th in the country. OSU has won 9 of its last 10, including its last two against Washington and Washington State.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Peyton Carter

Quinessa Caylao-Do

Lesila Finau

Mya Hollingshed

Kennedy Leonard

Alexis Robinson

Peanut Tuitele