Colorado
Wisconsin
Buffs Battle Badgers on Thursday
November 13, 2019 | Women's Basketball
CU hosts Wisconsin at 7 p.m.
BOULDER—Colorado women's basketball opened the season last Sunday with a convincing 80-57 win over NJIT. The win was good, but head coach JR Payne felt that there was more to be desired.
The Buffs led from start to finish in the season-opener last Sunday, but Payne expressed some displeasure in the team's performance following the contest.
This week the Buffaloes face a taller task, welcoming in the Wisconsin Badgers on Thursday (7 p.m. MT). CU spent the week at practice correcting its issues from NJIT, in hopes of correcting any mistakes that were made.
"We watched a lot of film from the NJIT game," Payne explained. "Most of it was defensive. We really just talked about our fundamental principles that just were not evident last week. I don't know if was [first-game] jitters or discipline. We're a much better basketball team defensively than we showed, and we have practiced much better since then."
Wisconsin (2-0) has picked up early wins over North Florida and Wofford to start the year. The Badgers, similar to the Buffs, did not have the desired results last season. Wisconsin went 15-18 overall and finished 13th in the Big Ten.
Thursday's matchup can be a proving ground for both teams, looking to flip the script from a year ago.
"I think it's a game that both teams are excited about," Payne added. "They have played two games and we've played one. I think we're both eager to play another Power 5 opponent where we can kind of see how we've grown or where we really are."
Offensively, Colorado showed very little signs of rust against the Highlanders. The Buffs shot 46.3 percent from the field and hit 7-of-18 from behind the arc. Colorado did leave room for improvement at the free-throw line, going just 11-for-23.
Individually, junior Mya Hollingshed posted her seventh career 20-point game, going off for a game-high 22 points. Freshman Jaylyn Sherrod made her CU debut with 11 assists, the most by Buffalo in her first game since 1979. Quinessa Caylao-Do, Lesila Finau and Peanut Tuitele each finished in double figures.
Thursday's game is 90's night. There will be various 90's themed activities on the concourse and 90's music played throughout the game. Students will receive a "Friends" themed shirt. Fans can stick around after the game for the team's meet and greet.
