Fast break
Why the Buffs won: Their defense was strong all afternoon, holding Texas Tech to 32.1% shooting and forcing 19 turnovers. Offensively, the Buffs got contributions from several different players.
Three stars:
1. Lior Garzon: She busted out of a recent slump with 17 points, while adding four rebounds and three steals.
2. Tabitha Betson: The freshman had arguably the best game of her season, posting 11 points, four rebounds and three assists.
3. Kindyll Wetta: Although she finished with a career-high eight turnovers, Wetta was aggressive all afternoon on both ends of the floor, posting nine points, six assists and five steals.
Up next: The Buffs will host Arizona at the CU Events Center on Wednesday at 7 p.m. MT (ESPN+).
On a day when the Colorado women’s basketball team honored players from throughout its 50 years – including the 2002 squad that reached the Elite Eight – it picked up a victory that felt like an old-school Big 12 battle.
Lior Garzon scored a game-high 17 points and the Buffs battled past Texas Tech, 67-51, on Sunday in front of 4,953 fans at the CU Events Center.
“We work pretty hard each and every day to try to make that group (of former Buffs) proud of the current Buffs, and anytime we can connect the past with the present is special,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “I think part of our spirit today as we played was the fact that we had those guys back supporting.”
Years ago, CU and Texas Tech were two of the top teams in the Big 12 and the country and they had some exceptional battles.
In this one, the short-handed Buffs (15-6, 6-4 Big 12) – they were without four players, including leading scorer Frida Formann (stress fracture) – played solid defensively and were in control most of the way as they won their third straight game.
“We went through so much adversity during the season, before conference even started, so we just really know each other and just be there for each other,” said Garzon, who went 3-for-6 from 3-point range. “I think we do a really good job. We know exactly what we need from each other. I think once everybody just brings it to the court, like, this is all what we need. … The little things, that’s what makes us so, so good. So I think that’s what really helped us today.”
The little things included holding Tech (14-10, 3-8) to 32.1% shooting, not letting the Red Raiders get going in transition, and out-rebounding them 38-31.
CU got off to a slow start, falling behind 8-3 in the first six minutes. Grace Oliver then scored five straight points to spark an 11-2 run to close the quarter. CU’s defense held Tech scoreless for the last 2:57, taking a 14-10 lead into the second quarter.
The Buffs opened the second quarter by scoring eight straight, extending their run to 19-2 and taking a 22-10 lead. They led by as many as 14 before the Red Raiders pulled within 31-21 at halftime.
Tech sliced the CU lead to five, 37-32 midway through the third, but CU closed the quarter on a 12-3 run. The Buffs led by as many as 18 and cruised to the finish.
Garzon, who had made just two of 17 3-pointers in the previous four games combined, found some rhythm. Tabitha Betson scored a season-high 11 points. Kindyll Wetta brushed off some turnovers to fill up the box score. Jade Masogayo was exceptional again.
It all added up to a strong performance to cap a celebratory weekend in front of the largest crowd – home or away – of the season.
“Honestly, today before the game started, I just literally looked around and was like, ‘Oh my God,’” Garzon said. “I was honestly not expecting that many people to show up today, but I literally looked around and was like … I just felt so blessed, to see all these people around, coming to support us.
“Even though (the former greats) came in before us, they still wanted to see our success. They still want to see this going. I was just so happy.”
Betson added that she felt meeting the former players this weekend gave the current Buffs “more to play for.”
“Seeing all these amazing women who have gone through this program really inspires you to be what you could be, as well as what they’ve done,” she said. “Being able to meet them, it’s just super inspiring. Being able to wear this uniform is really amazing. And I think seeing other people who have done the same thing is just awesome.”
Notable
Payne said there is no timetable for Formann’s return, saying the senior guard is “day to day.” … The Buffs also played without guard Kennedy Sanders (ankle), center JoJo Nworie (concussion) and forward Ayianna Johnson (undisclosed injury). … CU snapped a five-game losing streak to Texas Tech, although this was just the second meeting in the last 14 years. CU is now 6-18 all-time against the Red Raiders.
Colorado 67, Texas Tech 51
TEXAS TECH (14-10, 3-8 Big 12)
Freelon 2-5 5-6 9, Fritz 2-7 0-0 5, Sanogo 0-2 0-0 0, Maupin 3-8 2-2 9, Johnson 0-2 0-0 0, Bristow 0-0 0-0 0, Shavers 6-20 3-5 16, Blacklock 2-4 0-2 6, Wynn 0-2 2-4 2, Peat 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 17-53 12-19 51.
COLORADO (15-6, 6-4 Big 12)
Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Garzon 5-11 4-4 17, Masogayo 6-7 2-3 14, Wetta 3-8 3-6 9, Teder 2-6 0-0 5, Diew 2-4 0-0 4, Betson 4-6 1-2 11, Oliver 3-7 0-0 7. Totals 25-49 10-15 67.
Texas Tech 10 11 14 16 – 51
Colorado 14 17 18 18 – 67
3-point goals – TT 5-18 (Blacklock 2-4, Shavers 1-7, Fritz 1-4, Maupin 1-2, Wynn 0-1), Colorado 7-17 (Garzon 3-6, Betson 2-4, Teder 1-3, Oliver 1-1, Diew 0-2, Wetta 0-1). Rebounds – TT 31 (Freelon 8), Colorado 38 (Oliver 8). Assists – TT 8 (Johnson, Shavers 2), Colorado 15 (Wetta 6). Steals – TT 16 (Maupin 4), Colorado 10 (Wetta 5). Turnovers – TT 19, Colorado 21. Total fouls – TT 17, Colorado 23. Fouled out – Johnson. Attendance – 4,953.
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