Buffs Fall to Mountaineers in Big 12 Tournament Semifinal, 48-47

Saturday, March 7

Kansas City, Mo.

4:30 PM

Colorado

22-11,11-7Big 12

[2] West Virginia

26-6,14-4Big 12

Colorado

West Virginia

Buffs Fall to Mountaineers in Big 12 Tournament Semifinal, 48-47

March 07, 2026 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Stats Donate to Women's Basketball

By: Macy Mohlenkamp, Athletic Communications Associate

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Colorado women's basketball team (22-11, 11-7 Big 12) fell to No. 15 second-seeded West Virginia (26-6, 14-4 Big 12), 48-47, at T-Mobile Center in the semifinals of the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Saturday, Mar. 7.

The Buffaloes played a close first quarter with the Mountaineers, coming within one after going down by five. After holding West Virginia to four points, Colorado tied the game heading into halftime. WVU went up by as many as 12 in the third, but the Buffs came back to end the third quarter down by four. CU trailed by one throughout most of the fourth, and the Mountaineers took the game, 48-47.

"What an incredible tournament we've been privileged to be a part of," head coach JR Payne stated. "I'm really proud of how our team competed. After last week, I don't think there were very many people outside of our locker room that believed we would come here and do what we've done. But we have a tremendous amount of belief in ourselves and in each other. We have a very resilient team, and I think we saw that on full display for three hard-fought games. I'm really proud of my team individually, collectively. […] So, two great Big 12 teams that are going to keep playing throughout March, and we'll rest and recover and then be excited for whatever we have next."

Colorado had more rebounds (38-34), bench points (20-0), assists (8-5) and blocks (2-1) than West Virginia. In the second quarter, the Buffaloes held the Mountaineers to four points -- their lowest scoring quarter of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Buffaloes scored first in the opening quarter, with Sr. F Anaëlle Dutat making a layup, assisted by Sr. F Jade Masogayo (2-0, CU). West Virginia made a layup and a three-point jumper to take the lead (5-2, WVU). A shooting foul sent Jr. G Zyanna Walker to the line for two free throws, but the Mountaineers made two layups to stay ahead (9-4, WVU). After the media timeout, Colorado went on a 6-0 run from Jr. G Desiree Wooten, Walker and Dutat layups (10-9, CU). WVU scored four points, but Wooten closed out scoring in the quarter with a layup, ending the first, 13-12 (WVU).

Colorado's defense held West Virginia to a scoreless first two and a half minutes in the second before the Mountaineers made a jumper (15-12, WVU). The Black and Gold made a pair of jumpers from Walker and Fr. F Logyn Greer (16-15, CU). Two WVU free throws sent the teams into the media timeout (17-16, WVU). The Mountaineers were unable to score for the remaining five minutes of the half, and a final free throw from Wooten tied the game (17-17).

West Virginia made two early layups in the third quarter to take the lead (21-17, WVU). Masogayo made a free throw to halt the Mountaineers' momentum (21-18, WVU). WVU made a layup and one of two free throws, but Walker made a layup in the paint, assisted by Masogayo (24-20, WVU). After a three from the Mountaineers, Wooten assisted Greer on a jumper (27-22, WVU). West Virginia went on a five-point run, sending the teams into the media timeout (32-22, WVU). The Buffs and the Mountaineers each made a pair of free throws, including a set from Walker (34-24, WVU). The Black and Gold extended their run to eight points, starting with two jumpers from Masogayo (34-28, WVU). A final set of free throws from Walker ended the quarter, 34-30 (WVU).

Walker made a layup to start the final quarter (34-32, WVU). West Virginia made one free throw, as well as Wooten, to keep the Mountaineers at a two-point lead (35-33, WVU). WVU made a jumper, but the momentum shifted in favor of the Buffaloes as Wooten made a three and Walker scored another two points for Colorado, putting the Buffs in the lead and forcing the Mountaineers to call a timeout (38-37, CU). A layup from West Virginia was quickly followed by another from Masogayo (40-39, WVU). The Mountaineers scored two baskets, but Greer made a jumper to keep CU within one (43-42, WVU). Greer assisted Wooten on a three-point jumper, but the Mountaineers made one of their own (46-45, WVU). West Virginia made two free throws, and Wooten scored two as well, to end the game, 48-47 (WVU).

UP NEXT:

The Buffs will take the week to rest before tuning in to the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament Selection Show on Sunday, Mar. 15, at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN. Stay tuned for more postseason information and coverage at CUBuffs.com.

PLAYER STATS:

Jr. G Desiree Wooten reached 1,000 career points with her 13th point of the game. In total, she scored 14 points, and had two rebounds, one steal and one assist.

Jr. G Zyanna Walker reached 16 points and five rebounds. She also scored over 15 points in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.

Sr. F Anaëlle Dutat had 13 rebounds, four points and one assist.

Sr. F Jade Masogayo saw seven points, three rebounds, three assists and one block.

Fr. F Logyn Greer tallied six points, three rebounds, two assists and one block.

So. F Tabitha Betson had three rebounds.

Jr. G Maeve McErlane had one assist and one rebound.

Fr. C Jade Crook saw three rebounds, and Fr. G Erianna Gooden had one rebound.

For the Mountaineers, Jordan Harrison had 15 points and five rebounds.

POSTGAME NOTES:

The Buffs move to 1-3 all-time against the Mountaineers and 0-1 in conference tournament play versus West Virginia.

All-time, the Buffs move to 12-16 in Big 12 Tournament play and 43-39 in conference tournament games overall.

Head Coach JR Payne improves to 186-127 (.594) all-time.

Colorado had more rebounds (38-34), bench points (20-0), assists (8-5) and blocks (2-1) than West Virginia. In the second quarter, the Buffaloes held the Mountaineers to four points -- their lowest scoring quarter of the season.

Wooten is tied for second in the NCAA since the 1999-2000 season for most consecutive games with 10 or more points off the bench with 16-straight games. She is the first Colorado player to score at least 10 points off the bench in three straight conference tournament games since Linda Lappe (2001-2002).

Dutat's 13 rebounds are the most for a Colorado player in a conference tournament since Jamee Swan reached 13 against Oregon State in 2015 (Mar. 6).

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.