Colorado University Athletics
BARRY COUNTING ON CROWD FOR SATURDAY
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Colorado is the 14th-ranked women's basketball team in the country, has a nine-game winning streak and has a big showdown this weekend with No. 11 Kansas State at the Coors Events Center.
Coach Ceal Barry just wishes more fans were showing up at the home games. CU averages just 2,381 fans at home.
"We're really hoping we have a good turnout Saturday morning and get people out there and help us because it makes a difference," Barry said following CU's 69-59 win at No. 24 Baylor on Wednesday. "I tell you one thing that made a difference in this game was the fans. When their fans started yelling and screaming that certainly helped Baylor in the second half, and that can make a difference for us."
Colorado (12-1, 1-0 Big 12) will host Kansas State (10-2, 1-0) in a televised game that tips off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The Wildcats are the last team to beat the Buffs at home, winning last year in front of 6,728 people at the Coors Events Center. CU is on a nine-game overall winning streak and a 10-game home winning streak. The nine game win streak is CU's best since 1995.
"I think people can get up, get their exercise in and come on over to the gym and watch us," Barry said. "I think that would be a great thing to do on a Saturday afternoon in January."
The Buffs staved off a furious comeback by Baylor in a hostile environment, something the players consider good experience for conference play.
"It's a really big win because the Big 12 is so tough," senior guard Kate Fagan said. "If you blow a 20-point lead at the half you're going to put yourself in a hole in the whole conference. You have to get that win. You have games on the road that are going to be much tougher. So it's a win we had to get."
The CU women's games 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. Parking is always free at CU basketball games.