In the early part of the season, the Colorado women’s basketball team has had some ups and downs.
That’s to be expected for a lot of teams, especially one with 10 newcomers.
How the Buffs have navigated some challenges has pleased head coach JR Payne, however.
“I’m most pleased with just how coachable we are,” said Payne, whose Buffs will host Wyoming on Sunday at the CU Events Center. “It’s just a really good group of young women. They are really competitive, but they want to do well, and they want to see each other succeed.”
CU found a lot of success early, going 5-1 out of the gates, with the only loss at No. 22 Louisville on Nov. 12. The Buffs played well in that 74-68 loss, actually holding a lead in the fourth quarter before faltering late.
The Buffs then hit some adversity, with a 59-46 loss to Texas A&M in Hawaii, followed by a surprising 71-70 loss to Montana State at home Nov. 30. The Buffs coughed up a 12-point fourth-quarter lead against Montana State.
Payne said the maturity of her team has been on display this week after that second loss.
“When we lost a couple games, nobody was pouting or pointing fingers, which is very mature,” she said. “A lot of teams, that’s the first response is to blame someone — the teammates or coaches or whoever — and there was none of that.
“It was just like: ‘We agree we need to be better, and we agree we need more attention to detail, and we agree we can do X, Y and Z more effectively.’ It was just a sense of ownership, which I think is pretty rare in all areas of life right now.”
CU followed the Montana State loss with great preparation for Tuesday’s game against Charleston, which they won, 66-47, to get back on track.
And following that win, Payne said, “We’ve had back-to-back really good practices.”
The Buffs needed them with Wyoming coming to town. While the Buffs have dominated the series, it’s rarely an easy matchup with the Cowgirls.
“They’re well coached and run a system that is a little bit unique offensively, and so definitely a game we have to be prepared for them,” Payne said. “They’re tough, and the type of players that they recruit are just really tough and organized. And, they don’t back down or wilt.”
The Buffs haven’t either, even amid some bumps this year. Payne hopes her team can continue that as they wrap up what has been a busy stretch. Sunday’s game will be CU’s eighth game in 22 days.
“The first week, 10 days of the season we didn’t have a lot of games, so that felt like we kind of slowly rolled into season,” Payne said. “Then it’s just been a fast and furious race for the last three weeks.
“But I feel really good about where we are. Like I said, we’ve had great practices. We’re in a good place and feel good, and we just want to finish this stretch strong.”
CU Buffs women’s basketball vs. Wyoming
TIPOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m., CU Events Center in Boulder
TV/RADIO: ESPN+/KHOW 630 AM
RECORDS: Colorado 6-3, 0-0 Big 12; Wyoming 3-4, 0-0 Mountain West
COACHES: Colorado — JR Payne, 10th season (170-119; 271-232 career). Wyoming — Heather Ezell, 4th season (66-42).
KEY PLAYERS: Colorado — F Anaelle Dutat, 6-0, Sr. (9.7 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.1 spg, .516 fg%); F Logyn Greer, 6-4, Fr. (11.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, .475 fg%); F Jade Masogayo, 6-3, Sr. (7.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.2 apg); G Kennedy Sanders, 5-8, So. (10.5 ppg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg); G Zyanna Walker, 5-11, Jr. (9.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.4 spg); G Desiree Wooten, 5-8, Jr. (10.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.3 spg). Wyoming — F Logann Alvar, 6-0, Sr. (8.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, .490 fg%); G Lana Beslic, 5-8, So. (3.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg); G Payton Muma, 5-8, Jr. (6.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.9 apg); G Malene Pedersen, 5-11, Sr. (18.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, .527 fg%, .536 3pt%); G Henna Sandvik, 6-0, Sr. (7.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg); F Madi Symons, 6-0, Jr. (5.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg).
NOTES: CU is playing the third game of a five-game home stand. The Buffs are 4-1 at home this season. … The Buffs are 39-11 all-time against Wyoming, including a 56-50 victory in Laramie on Nov. 4, 2024. … CU is 22-3 against the Cowgirls in Boulder, but Wyoming won in its last trip to the Events Center, 82-75 on Dec. 21, 2016. … The Buffs have held seven of nine opponents to 60 points or less. Wyoming comes in averaging 56.3 points per game. … CU reserve guard Claire O’Connor, who did not play Tuesday against Charleston, is unlikely to play against Wyoming as she rests a sore foot. … After a recent three-game losing streak, Wyoming has won two in a row, against Chadron State and South Dakota in Laramie. … The Cowgirls are 0-3 on the road this season.