Colorado Embarks on First Pac-12 Road Trip

SEATTLE—Known as the 'Conference of Champions,' the Pac-12 does not hand out any easy breaks. The University of Colorado women's basketball team gets set for another tough weekend, hitting the road for the first time after a 0-3 start to conference play.

Colorado (10-4, 0-3 Pac-12) will take on both Washington schools this weekend, starting Friday with its 8 p.m. MT, meeting with Washington (7-8, 0-3 Pac-12).

A change of scenery might be just what the Buffs need. Colorado just concluded its longest homestand of the season, playing its last seven games at the CU Events Center. The team has had only two true road games this season. CU's last road contest was its Dec. 2 game at Miami (Fla.).

"We love playing at home and I thought we played really good basketball," head coach JR Payne commented. "We just had a few spurts in each game where we really did not perform well. That ended up hurting us. I think everyone is excited to go on the road. Everybody loves each other on this team and it's just an opportunity to get away together. I think we are excited about this trip."

The Buffs left everything on the court last week in its losses to Arizona and No. 22 Arizona State. The two games were decided by a combined eight points, with each contest coming down to the final seconds. CU held second-half leads in both losses last week. The Buffs had three chances to tie or win the game in the final seconds against Arizona and fought off a 13-0 fourth-quarter run by ASU to get back within two points in the final minute.

Coach Payne has used the bright spots from last week as lessons in practices this week.

"We've really focused in pointing out the positives in the way that we played. There were so many good things that we did in both games last weekend. To compete the way we did was a positive. We have really worked to build on that and sure up some of our deficiencies."

Colorado held a +16 rebounding margin in last week's games, despite being outrebounded (36-33) by Arizona State. The Buffs have been dominant on the glass this season, ranking third in the Pac-12 with 42.14 rebounds per game.

Individually, sophomore Mya Hollingshed has emerged as the team's top rebounder. She is averaging 7.4 boards per game (12th Pac-12), while freshman Peanut Tuitele has been consistent with 6.4 rebounds per game.

Friday's game will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network. Fans can listen to the Buffs all season long on AM 630 (KHOW).

The Series: Washington holds a 12-10 all-time advantage over the Buffs. Recent history tips towards CU. The Buffs have won the last two contests, including a 76-56 win in Boulder. Alexis Robinson led the Buffs with 18 points, while Kennedy Leonard posted a double-double (14 points, 13 assists). Hollingshed added 14 points off the bench.

4's Wild: The Buffs had four players hit double figures in five consecutive games--eight total this season (North Carolina, Utah State, Pepperdine, PVAM, Samford, Utah, Arizona and Arizona State). CU's win over North Carolina was the first game it had four players with 10+ points since its first-round win over Utah in the 2018 Pac-12 Tournament. Colorado had four players in double figures eight times last season.

Charity Stripe: Colorado shot a season-high 81.8% (9-11) from the free-throw line against Arizona State. CU is shooting 71.7% from the line this season (6th Pac-12).

Turnover Trouble: Colorado turned the ball over 21 times against Arizona, leading to 21 points for the Wildcats. CU turned the ball over 13 times in the first half (14 Arizona points).

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Players Mentioned

Mya Hollingshed

Kennedy Leonard

Alexis Robinson

Peanut Tuitele