Buffs Set for Final Homestand

BOULDER — The University of Colorado women's basketball team is set to close out the home schedule this weekend at the CU Events Center. The Buffaloes will play its final two home games of the season against Washington State on Friday (7 p.m.) and Washington on Sunday (1 p.m.)

It is not only the final home games of the 2018-19 season, but it will also be the final time fans will be able to watch seniors Kennedy Leonard and Alexis Robinson take the court in the Black and Gold.

CU's two seniors have been mainstays in the Buffs' lineup since their freshman season in 2015-16. The two players have played their way into the CU record books, leaving a legacy that will be tough to match.

"It will be a fun weekend," head coach JR Payne commented. "We have two fantastic seniors who have really poured their heart and souls into this program. It will be really wonderful to celebrate them."

Robinson, a native of Ashland, Ky., quickly became a key contributor in her freshman season. She started in 20 games her first season and earned All-Pac-12 Freshman honorable mention. Robinson started 31 games her sophomore year, helping the Buffs to a first-round win over UNLV in the WNIT. She was honorable mention All-Conference with 11.4 points per game. Robinson returned from a late-season injury to record 12.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game as a junior. Earlier this season, Robinson became the latest player to join the 1,000-point club, totaling 13 points at Miami (Fla.). She scored a career-high 33 points against UCLA and has moved into the top-20 in CU's all-time scoring and field goals made list and is top-10 in 3-point field goals made.

Leonard, a native of South Lake, Texas, immediately made an impact upon landing in Boulder. She started 29 games and put together one of the best freshman campaigns in program history. Leonard averaged 12.1 points and 4.6 assists per game, earning Pac-12 All-Freshman and honorable mention All-Conference honors. Leonard did not skip a beat her sophomore year, recording the seventh best scoring season in school history with 563 total points. Leonard helped the Buffs into the third round of the WNIT, scoring 29 points in CU's overtime win over South Dakota State. Leonard earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors for the second straight season as a junior. She became the fifth fastest player to reach 1,000 points, doing so in her 69th career game against George Mason. Leonard, a two-time Lieberman Award Watch List selection as one of the nation's top point guards, started 100 consecutive games before missing time to injury this season. She became CU's all-time assist leader, passing Bridget Turner with six assists against Utah. She is in CU's top-10 in scoring, steals, free throws made, 3-point field goals made and minutes played.

"Those two were my first recruits here," Payne recalled. "When I arrived here in Boulder, both of them had their releases in hand and were one foot out the door. I worked hard over those first few months and into the summer to tell them why the should be here and help build this program with us. Although they were already Buffs, they were our first commits I guess. They have been a really special part of this place."

Neill Woelk, CUBuffs.com's contributing editor, will have a closer look on each senior later on this week.

Both games this weekend will be available through the Colorado live stream. Fans can continue to find the Buffs all season long on the Buffalo Radio Network, AM 630 (KHOW) locally and online at CUBuffs.com/Listen.

The Game: Colorado returns home for the final time this season hosting Washington State and Washington in its final homestand. CU got swept by the Washington schools on its first Pac-12 road trip back in early January.

About the Buffaloes: CU will look to finish the season strong. Colorado has four games remaining before the Pac-12 Tournament. The Buffs currently sit 12th in the standings but can move up with a strong finish. CU has four players averaging double-figure scoring this season. Senior Kennedy Leonard (13.5 ppg) leads the group. Senior Alexis Robinson (12.8), junior Quinessa Caylao-Do (10.7) and sophomore Mya Hollingshed (11.4 ppg) round out the top-scorers.

About Washington State: The Cougars have won their last two games, both at home against Arizona and Washington. WSU's 33-point win (94-61) over Washington was its largest in the Apple Cup series. WSU is 1-8 on the road this season. Borislava Hristova leads the Cougs with 20.9 points per game.

Last Time Out: There was good news and there was bad news in CU's 63-51 loss at Arizona. Senior Kennedy Leonard returned to the lineup, with five points and four assists after missing the last 10 games. The bad news was that classmate Alexis Robinson was out of the lineup for the first time in 59 games. Freshman Peanut Tuitele led the Buffs with 10 points in the loss.

Friends Night Out: Bring a friend to Friday's game against Washington State and get a GA ticket, hot dog and soda for $13.

Free Dad Hat: Students in attendance can receive a free Chip "Dad Hat" while supplies last.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Quinessa Caylao-Do

Mya Hollingshed

Kennedy Leonard

Alexis Robinson

Peanut Tuitele