Following a busy week in Hawaii, the Colorado women’s basketball team is returning home for a while.
The Buffaloes will host Montana State on Sunday (1 p.m., ESPN+) to kick off a five-game home stand at the CU Events Center.
To this point, CU (5-2) has played more games away from home but will hit the road just once in the next six weeks, for a game at Arizona State in the Big 12 opener Dec. 21. Overall, seven of the Buffs’ next eight games will be in Boulder.
After going 2-1 during the Hawaii North Shore Showcase, CU will take on a Montana State team that is the preseason favorite to win the Big Sky Conference. The Bobcats went 30-4 a year ago.
CU wrapped up the North Shore Showcase with a 59-46 loss to Texas A&M on Tuesday. The Buffs had a season-high 24 turnovers in the loss and continued to struggle from the 3-point line. The Buffs are hitting just 25.0% of their 3-pointers, including 6-for-39 (15.4%) during the three-game trip to Hawaii.
CU Buffs women’s basketball vs. Montana State
TIPOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m., CU Events Center in Boulder
TV/RADIO: ESPN+/KHOW 630 AM
RECORDS: Colorado 5-2, 0-0 Big 12; Montana State 4-1, 0-0 Big Sky
COACHES: Colorado — JR Payne, 10th season (169-118; 270-231 career). Montana State — Tricia Binford, 21st season (363-254).
KEY PLAYERS: Colorado — F Anaelle Dutat, 6-0, Sr. (9.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.3 spg, .511 fg%); F Logyn Greer, 6-4, Fr. (12.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, .485 fg%); F Jade Masogayo, 6-3, Sr. (7.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg); G Kennedy Sanders, 5-8, So. (9.7 ppg, 1.8 apg); G Zyanna Walker, 5-11, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.6 spg); G Desiree Wooten, 5-8, Jr. (9.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.4 spg). Montana State — G Brianne Bailey, 5-10, Fr. (9.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.2 spg); G Taylee Chirrick, 5-11, So. (19.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 4.6 spg); F Teagan Erickson, 6-2, So. (6.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg); G Brooke Fatupaito, 6-0, Jr. (8.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, .533 fg%); F Addison Harris, 6-1, So. (18.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, .576 fg%); G Jamison Philip, 5-7, Fr. (5.0 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.6 spg).
NOTES: CU returns home after going 2-1 at the Hawaii North Shore Showcase. … The Buffs are 3-0 at home this season. … CU is 5-0 all-time against Montana State, but the teams haven’t met since a 68-55 CU win on Dec. 22, 1995, in Bozeman, Montana. … Greer has scored in double figures in five of seven games. … Montana State was projected to win the Big Sky Conference in preseason polls by coaches and media. The Bobcats won the Big Sky tournament last year to reach the NCAA Tournament. … After a 4-0 start, Montana State lost at Troy on Monday, 74-60. … The Bobcats are second nationally in steals per game (18.6) and turnovers forced (30.0 per game). … Binford was the 1991 Colorado player of the year at Roaring Fork High School and was inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame in 2017.