Colorado University Athletics

BUFFS OPEN BIG 12 SEASON TONIGHT AT NO. 24 BAYLOR

BUFFS OPEN BIG 12 SEASON TONIGHT AT NO. 24 BAYLOR
Related Links

To be considered one of the nation's top teams, Colorado needs to beat some ranked squads.

The 14th-ranked Buffaloes will get that chance Wednesday when they visit No. 24 Baylor in the Big 12 opener for both teams. CU fans can watch the game live exclusively through the Buffs Backstage Pass at CUBuffs.com.

Since losing to then-No. 13 Minnesota on Nov. 23, Colorado (11-1) has reeled off eight straight wins. CU is 1-1 against ranked teams this season, defeating then-No. 15 Notre Dame 67-63 in the championship game of the WBCA Classic in Boulder.

This is the Buffaloes' fourth 11-1 or better start through 12 games under coach Ceal Barry. They opened 12-0 in 1992-93 and were 11-1 in both 1993-94 and last season.

Victories have come easy lately for Colorado, which has won its last three games by 30 points or more, including Saturday's 98-47 rout of Buffalo.

Kate Fagan made seven of Colorado's school-record 16 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 24 points, helping the Buffaloes build a 42-14 lead at halftime.

Each of Colorado's 11 wins have come against unranked teams, but it plays its next two against Baylor (12-1) and No. 11 Kansas State.

"Right now we are just focused on Baylor, and starting out the Big 12 strong,'' Fagan said. "If we can get two wins next week then that would be a good start.'"

Strong defense has been the key for Colorado of late. It has held three straight opponents under 50 points while limiting foes to 32.5 percent (50-of-154) shooting in that span.

Leading the offense for the Buffaloes has been senior center Tera Bjorklund, who averages 20.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Fagan adds 15.1 points and 3.2 assists per contest.

Colorado could have a difficult time continuing its strong defensive play against Baylor, the highest-scoring team in the Big 12 at 84.6 points per game.

The Lady Bears coasted to a 100-47 victory over Sam Houston State on Friday for their sixth consecutive win. The streak has moved Baylor into the AP Top 25 for the first time since it finished the 2001-02 season at No. 7.

"We welcome the ranking because it brings positive recognition to our program and Baylor University," coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson said.

Baylor has also recorded all of its wins this season against unranked teams while losing its only previous matchup with a top 25 opponent, a 74-63 setback to then-No. 9 Penn State on Dec. 9.

Sophomore Sophia Young leads Baylor with 17.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Junior Steffanie Blackmon adds 14.4 points and 6.7 boards per contest.

Colorado is 7-4 all-time against Baylor, but 2-3 on the road in the series. The home team has won the last five meetings between the schools.