Buffs Fall to Knights, 74-68

Sunday, January 18

Orlando, Fla.

12:00 PM

Colorado

12-7,3-4Big 12

UCF

10-8,2-5Big 12

Colorado

UCF

January 18, 2026 | Women's Basketball

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By: Malala Pyle, Assistant Director of Athletic Communication

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Colorado women's basketball team (12-7, 3-4 Big 12) fell to UCF (10-8, 2-5 Big 12), 74-68, at Addition Financial Arena on Sunday, Jan. 18.

The Buffaloes took an early lead over the Knights, ending the first quarter up by five. The Buffs' momentum dipped in the second quarter, sending the teams into halftime with UCF ahead by ten. Colorado returned to the court for an explosive third quarter with a close battle between the two teams, but the fourth quarter saw Central Florida pull ahead and end the game, 74-68.

"[In] the first half, I didn't think we defended well," head coach JR Payne stated. "Part of it was just foul trouble and rotations and things like that. But I think the second quarter at least, we were kind of doing our own thing defensively. We were denying when we weren't supposed to, and gaps were open for penetration and things like that. So that's where I say obviously, I didn't communicate the game plan well enough because that wasn't what we were supposed to be doing."

Colorado had more points in the paint (36-22), bench points (26-21), fast break points (18-10), steals (11-7) and blocks (3-2) than UCF.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Buffs opened scoring two minutes into the quarter with a layup from Sr. F Jade Masogayo in the paint (2-0, CU). Colorado extended the lead with two free throws from Jr. G Zyanna Walker (4-0, CU). The Knights scored off a layup and a free throw, but Fr. F Logyn Greer answered with a three-point jumper (7-3, CU). UCF tied the game with two free throws and a jumper (7-7). The Black and Gold went on a 6-0 run, including back-to-back layups from Masogayo, and a layup on the fast break from Jr. G Desiree Wooten (13-7, CU). The Buffs and the Knights traded points, with Wooten and So. F Tabitha Betson scoring off layups (17-11, CU). Betson made a free throw before UCF made a three-point jumper (18-14, CU). Walker closed out scoring in the first quarter with a free throw, ending the quarter with Colorado ahead by five (19-14, CU).

The Knights scored three points early in the quarter, but Betson interrupted their momentum with a three-point jumper (22-17, CU). UCF took the lead from an eight-point run, sending Colorado into a timeout (25-22, UCF). The Buffs returned to the court for a Wooten jumper off the inbound assist from Fr. G Erianna Gooden (25-24, UCF). The Knights went on a 12-0 run that ended with a layup from 5th C JoJo Nworie, assisted by Jr. G Maeve McErlane (37-26, UCF). UCF made a free throw, but Wooten quickly responded with a step-back three-point jumper (38-29, UCF). A block from Nworie stopped the UCF offense, but the Knights made one free throw to end the half, 39-29 (UCF).

The Buffaloes started the second half with seven points in the first minute and a half, including two free throws from Masogayo, as well as two layups and a free throw from Walker (39-26, UCF). The Knights were forced to call a timeout, and when Colorado returned to the court, a foul sent Sr. F Anaëlle Dutat to the line for a free throw (39-37, UCF). UCF ended the 8-0 run from the Buffs with a jumper (41-37, UCF). Colorado tied the game with two sets of free throws from Masogayo and Walker (41-41). The Buffs and the Knights traded points to keep the game tied, with Wooten and Betson scoring layups for CU (45-45). Masogayo made a layup before UCF went on a six-point run (51-47, UCF). McErlane made a buzzer-beater three to end the quarter and bring the Buffs within one, 51-50.

Greer and Wooten brought the Buffs ahead early in the last quarter with a pair of layups (54-51, CU). UCF made a three-point jumper, but Colorado responded with a jumper from Greer and two layups from Walker and Wooten (60-54, CU). Central Florida came back within one, but Betson assisted Greer for a layup in the paint to end the Knights' run (62-59, CU). UCF took the lead, but Betson ended a 6-0 run from the Knights with a second-chance layup (65-64, UCF). UCF scored five more points before Walker made a free throw (70-65, UCF). Betson made a three-point jumper with 17 seconds remaining, but four points from UCF saw the end of the game, 74-68 (UCF).

UP NEXT:

The Buffs will relish some downtime this week before hosting Oklahoma State at CU Events Center on Sunday, Jan. 25. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. MT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+, and fans can follow along via live stats links on CUBuffs.com.

PLAYER STATS:

So. F Tabitha Betson recorded a season-high 13 points and seven rebounds, as well as two steals and one assist. This is Betson's first time this season with double-digit points.
Jr. G Desiree Wooten saw 15 points, two steals and one rebound. Wooten earns her 13th game the season in double-figure points.
Jr. G Zyanna Walker had 13 points, a season-high seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. This is Walker's 11th game with double-digit points this season.

Sr. F Jade Masogayo recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, one block and one steal. Masogayo finds her 11th game this season with double figures in points.
Fr. F Logyn Greer tallied nine points, one steal and one assist.
Sr. F Anaëlle Dutat had five rebounds, two steals and one point.

5th C JoJo Nworie matched her career-high blocks with two. She also scored two points.

Jr. G Maeve McErlane tallied three points, three assists and one rebound.
Fr. C Jade Crook had two rebounds, and Fr. G Erianna Gooden had one assist.
For the Knights, Summer Yancy scored 25 points and had six rebounds.

GAME NOTES:

The Buffs move to 2-1 all-time against the Knights.

All-time, the Buffs move to 112-153 in Big 12 play.

CU had more points in the paint (36-22), fast break points (18-10), assists (18-14), steals (11-7) and blocks (3-2).

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.