Buffaloes Brave the Storm, Colorado Upsets No. 19 Iowa State, 68-62

Wednesday, January 14

Boulder, Colo.

7:00 PM

Colorado

12-6,3-3Big 12

#19 Iowa State

14-4,2-4Big 12

Iowa St.

Colorado

Buffaloes Brave the Storm, Colorado Upsets No. 19 Iowa State, 68-62

January 14, 2026 | Women's Basketball

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By: Macy Mohlenkamp, Athletic Communications Associate

BOULDER – The Colorado women's basketball team (12-6, 3-3 Big 12) defeated No. 19 Iowa State (14-4, 2-4 Big 12), 68-62, at the CU Events Center on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

The Buffaloes upset the Cyclones in a close battle. With one second left in the first quarter, junior guard Desiree Wooten made a three-point jumper, bringing the Buffs within three of the Cyclones. The Black and Gold headed into the half down by four but came back to end the third quarter tied, 42-42. Colorado had an explosive fourth quarter, ending the game, 68-62 (CU).

"Any coach would just be so proud of [our] growth, from one weekend to the next weekend. These are all heavyweight fights, these are all battles, and I'm just unbelievably proud," head coach JR Payne said. "So many different people at different times of the game stepped up and made huge winning plays on both sides of the floor. So super proud. Awesome team win."

This is Buffs' first win over a ranked opponent since last season when beating then-No. 10/8 Kansas State, 63-53 (Jan. 25, 2025). The Buffaloes had more rebounds (46-33), bench points (34-13), points off turnovers (19-14) and points in the paint (30-18) than the Cyclones.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Buffaloes took the lead in the first quarter with a layup from Jr. G Zyanna Walker (2-0, CU) followed by a jumper from Sr. F Jade Masogayo (4-0, CU). Sr. F Anaëlle Dutat ended a Cyclone 8-0 run with a second chance tip-in layup (8-6, ISU). A jumper from Wooten put the Buffs back on the board, followed by another Masogayo jumper off a Cyclone turnover, bringing Colorado to double-digits (13-10, ISU). Iowa State made a three, but the quarter ended with a three-point buzzer beater from Wooten, assisted by Masogayo (16-13, ISU).

The second quarter started with ISU extending the lead from a three-point jumper (19-13, ISU). A steal from Walker led to an assisted three-point jumper, made by Dutat (19-16, ISU). A second-chance free throw from Iowa State kept the Cyclones in the lead (25-16, ISU). ISU made a three, sending Colorado into a timeout (28-16, ISU). After the timeout, 5th C JoJo Nworie scored a layup, followed by a Wooten tip-in layup off a turnover (28-20, ISU). Wooten made a pull-up jumper in the paint, followed by a three-point jumper, assisted by Dutat, ending the quarter down four, 29-25.

Within the first eight seconds of the third quarter, a steal and made layup is seen from Walker (29-27, ISU). So. F Tabitha Betson tied the game with two free throws (29-29, CU). The Cyclones made a three, but an and-one driving layup from Wooten tied the score again (32-32, CU). Wooten's streak continued with another driving layup (35-34, ISU). Masogayo made a layup off a steal, and a foul sent her to the line for one free throw (37-37, CU). A driving layup from Walker put the Buffs in the lead (39-37, CU). A free throw from Masogayo forced the Cyclones to take a timeout (40-37, CU). With only 18 seconds remaining, a jumper from Masogayo, assisted by Wooten, ended the third quarter in a tie (42-42, CU).

Dutat started the last quarter with a second-chance tip-in layup (44-42, CU). Wooten made a pair of free throws, keeping Colorado in the lead (46-42, CU). A second-chance tip-in jumper from Masogayo extended the Buffaloes' six-point run and forced a Cyclone timeout. (48- 42, CU). Masogayo ended a 5-0 run from Iowa State with a layup, assisted by Betson, keeping the Buffs in the lead (50-47, CU). A three-point jumper from ISU sent the teams into the media timeout (50-50, CU). The Buffs returned to the court for a Walker jumper and a set of Dutat free throws, as well as an Iowa State layup (54-52, CU). Betson made a three-point jumper, assisted by Walker (57-53, CU). Another Betson three-pointer forced Iowa State to call a timeout (60-53, CU). With 46 seconds left in the last quarter, Wooten made a three-point shot assisted by Walker (63-55, CU). A free throw from Wooten put Colorado in a comfortable lead and ISU called a timeout (64-56, CU). A set of free throws from the Cyclones was followed by a Colorado timeout and a free throw from Wooten (65-58, CU). Walker made both free throws to extend the lead (67-58, CU). The Buffs ultimately took the win after a free throw from Masogayo (68-62, CU).

UP NEXT:

The Buffs will travel to face UCF on Sunday, Jan. 18, at Financial Arena in Orlando, Fla. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. MT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, and fans can follow along via live stats links on CUBuffs.com.

PLAYER STATS:

Jr. G Desiree Wooten led the game with a season-high 24 points, making this her 12th game with double-digit points. She also had four rebounds and two assists.

Sr. F Jade Masogayo tallied 15 points, five rebounds, two steals and two assists. This is Masogayo's 10thh time this season with double-digit points.

Sr. F Anaëlle Dutat had 12 rebounds, nine points, two assists and one steal.

Jr. G Zyanna Walker saw 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists. This is Walker's 10th game in double figures this season.

Fr. F Logyn Greer had five rebounds and one block.

So. F Tabitha Betson matched a season-high eight points, as well as two steals and two rebounds.

Fr. C Jade Crook had two rebounds and one block.

5th C JoJo Nworie saw two points and one steal.

Fr. G Erianna Gooden had five rebounds.

For the Cyclones, Audi Crooks had 17 points and 15 rebounds.

GAME NOTES:

The Buffs move to 38-31 all-time against the Cyclones.

All-time, the Buffs move to 112-152 in Big 12 play.

CU had more rebounds (46-33), bench points (34-13), second-chance points (13-11) and fast break points (6-3) than Iowa State.

This is the first time the Buffs have beaten a ranked opponent since #10/8 Kansas State (63-53) last season (Jan. 25, 2025).

Colorado held ISU to its fewest points scored in a game this season (62), and the Buff defense held the nation's leading scorer, Audi Crooks, to her season-low in points (17).

For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsWBB.