Colorado University Athletics
NO. 14 BUFFS TO HOST TEXAS A&M
BOULDER - Tera Bjorklund overcame a hyperextended right knee to help Colorado beat the Missouri Tigers on Sunday.
The 14th-ranked Buffaloes hope their star center is healthy enough to do the same to the Aggies on Wednesday, when they host Texas A&M. Tickets will be available at the door and will once again feature a special ticket price called Chip's Court, where fans can get a game ticket, a hot dog and a soda for just $5.00. The game will also be carried live (video and audio) on Buffs Backstage Pass at CUBuffs.com.
Bjorklund fought through the injury, and scored 21 points to help Colorado (14-2, 3-1) to a 71-54 victory over Missouri, which is one of two Big 12 teams still without a conference win. Texas A&M (7-8, 0-4) is the other.
Bjorklund missed eight minutes in the first half after injuring her knee.
"I didn't think it was a tear or anything, but I was in pain,'' said Bjorklund, who is averaging a team-high 19.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. "It was a hyperextension, and I have had that happen before so I was pretty sure that's what it was.''
Colorado point guard Kate Fagan added 16 points, and was able to help Bjorklund adjust by getting her the ball where she felt comfortable.
"I felt like Kate fed her really well from the top,'' Colorado coach Ceal Barry said. "Something we always want to do is make sure our first look (to Bjorklund) is from the top. That's what we want to do is look inside and get her the ball.''
The Buffaloes showed a marked improvement on offense Sunday, shooting 50 percent from the field after failing to reach 40 percent in each of their previous two games.
Colorado guard Emily Waner has been named conference rookie of the week for the second time after averaging 10.5 points and 3.5 assists, while shooting 58 percent.
Texas A&M lost 64-48 to Nebraska on Saturday, extending its losing streak to four games.
"I'm disappointed, but we've played with a short deck all year,'' Texas A&M coach Gary Blair said. "But we've been in every game.''
Janae Derrick and Toccara Williams each scored 12 points for the Aggies, and Mindy Garrison added nine points.
Williams is the only Texas A&M player averaging double figures in scoring, posting 13.4 points per game. She is also averaging a team-high 7.0 rebounds.