Colorado
2-0,0-0Pac-12
Wisconsin
2-1,0-0Big Ten
Colorado Trounces Wisconsin
November 14, 2019 | Women's Basketball
Senior Quinessa Caylao-Do led the Buffs with 16 points
BOULDER—The Colorado women's basketball team moved to 2-0 in the early season, sending the visiting Wisconsin Badgers packing 74-57 on Thursday.
Three Buffaloes scored in double-figures, led by senior Quinessa Caylao-Do and her 16 points. Freshman Jaylyn Sherrod added 13 points and three assists, while sophomore Emma Clarke totaled 11 points and three rebounds.
The Buffs have a pair of double-digit wins to open the season. CU won by 23 to start the year against NJIT. Colorado led by as many as 24 points on Thursday, hitting its largest lead of the season.
Wisconsin's Abby Laszewski and Imani Lewis each had 19 points in the Badgers' first loss of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Colorado offense got hot early, opening the first three minutes on an 11-2 run. Clarke started the scoring hitting a long two. CU got early contributions from Lesila Finau, Mya Hollingshed and Sherrod to build the early cushion. Junior Annika Jank came off the bench to lead the Buffs with six points in just three minutes. A Finau layup helped the Buffs to a 12-point advantage in the final minute. The Badgers closed the quarter with free throws to cut the CU lead to 10, 23-13.
The Badgers pushed back in the second quarter, cutting the CU lead to 31-21. Wisconsin went on a 6-0 run, over a 2:18 span. Caylao-Do put an end to the run and Clarke followed up, giving CU a quick 4-0 run to regain a 14-point lead. Clarke and Sherrod took over the hot hand late in the quarter, helping CU close on a 12-3 run. A Sherrod layup in the final seconds pushed the Colorado lead to 21, 45-24, at the half.
CU's offense slowed to 38.5 percent (5-13) in the third quarter, but the Buffs were twice able to extend their lead to 24. Clarke made a second-chance layup with 4:17 on the clock, giving CU an insurmountable 52-28 lead. The Colorado defense limited Wisconsin to 4-of-13 shooting in the quarter, forcing four turnovers in the period.
Colorado was able to play with house money in the fourth quarter, getting players off the bench. The Badgers would outscore CU, 20-16, in the final 10 minutes but would not threaten the Buffs lead.
KEY STATISTICS: Colorado's rebounding improved from the opener. Colorado snagged 37 rebounds but only had a plus-one rebound differential in the opener. The Buffs dominated the boards on Thursday, snagging 45 on the night. Sophomore Aubrey Knight led the team with eight. The Buffs had a plus-17 rebounding-margin against the Badgers.
NOTES: Colorado improves to 2-0 to start the season for the second consecutive season…Colorado's 45 points were the most first-half points in the young season and its most since scoring 49 against North Carolina last season…Colorado's 21-point halftime lead was its largest since playing Prairie View A&M last season (28)…CU hit 62.5 percent (10-16) from the field in the first quarter, its best quarter of the season.
NEXT UP: Colorado hits the road for the first time on Sunday. The Buffaloes will drive up to Wyoming and play in Laramie for the first time since 2015.
QUOTES
Head Coach JR Payne
Overall Thoughts
"That was fun. I'm just proud of our effort tonight. I told the team that I thought the way that we responded, from the last game where we didn't feel like we played particularly well, to this game where I thought we played pretty well. We came out very aggressive offensively and defensively. We were tenacious on the glass and executed our game plan. I'm really proud and thought we played very good basketball tonight."
On Colorado's rebounding
"That was huge tonight, just the tenacity on the glass. I'm surprised Anni [Jank] only ended up with a couple [rebounds]. I thought Annika's effort on the offensive glass, just flying in and being long and active, was incredible. We had a lot of people on the glass most possessions which we need and want to do."
On beating a Big Ten opponent
"It's huge. Every win is great. Last game I was happy we were undefeated. This was a very big win for a very young ball club. We feel like we have a lot of potential. I love the camaraderie of our team and our effort and togetherness. It's great to see that translate to the basketball court."
Senior Quinessa-Caylao-Do
On CU's defense
"I think that was our focus and what we worked on most this week. After we played NJIT and just being able to jump to the ball, trust each other and rely on each other as a team. I think that helped fire up the defense."
On playing with young point guards
"I think it's fun. I got a good chance to play with Sila [Finau] last season, she for sure had to step. I think it was a good opportunity because they're both [Finau and Sherrod] two different people. You get two different feels. In the end, they're really good point guards to have for us."
Junior Annika Jank
On the opening 11-2 run
"It set the tone a lot. When our team has a lot of energy, we come out strong and I know it's going to be a good game. When we came out with aggression, I was positive [about the rest of the night]."
On playing with new players on the court
"It's exciting when everyone is getting involved and the team is just super loud, and the gym really helps to [being loud]. That gives us a lot of energy and when our team has a lot of energy, we're generally going to play very well."
