Fast break
Why the Buffs won: For much of the afternoon, they played exceptional defense and got enough on offense to pull away in the second half.
Three stars:
1. Logyn Greer: Freshman had a season-high 19 points, as well six rebounds to lead the way.
2. Zyanna Walker: Finished with eight points and led the Buffs with five steals and six assists.
3. Anaelle Dutat: Missed on a third straight double-double, but still finished with six points and 10 rebounds and was active on both ends of the court.
Up next: The Buffs will host Boise State on Tuesday at the CU Events Center (7 p.m., ESPN+).
From the time that Logyn Greer arrived on campus this summer, Colorado women’s basketball coach JR Payne has raved about the potential of the freshman.
With each game, Greer appears to be gaining comfort, and on Sunday she put together her best game of the season. Greer posted a season-high 19 points and pulled down six rebounds in a 77-45 rout of Portland State at the CU Events Center.
“At the start (of the season), I was like a deer in headlights,” the 6-foot-4 forward said. “But now I’m like really starting to get into it and just understand and just play with pace.”
Greer scored 10 of her points during the third quarter, when the Buffs (2-1) pulled away, turning a 14-point halftime lead into a 23-point advantage going into the fourth quarter.
“Anyone can see Logyn, she’s the type of player she walks in the gym and people say, ‘Who’s that?’ just by the way she looks and moves,” Payne said. “The sky’s the limit. And as well as Logyn played tonight, we’re going to turn on the film and she’s going to be like … ‘I could have done even more.’”
Greer had four points in her debut and 13 this past week against Louisville before busting loose against Portland State (1-2).
Greer led the way, but it was yet another strong team effort for the rebuilt Buffs, who dominated in the second half. Greer was the only Buff in double figures, but four players – Desiree Wooten, Anna Gooden, Zyanna Walker and Claire O’Connor – all finished with eight points, and Jade Crook had seven.
“Great win,” Payne said. “So many different people played. We rebounded incredibly well in the second half. Lots of different people scoring. We had people playing totally out of position, like playing in a position they’ve never played and had no experience. So lots of good things in our ability to rest people a little, get everybody lots of minutes, try some new things. Lots that we can learn, but also some good things to celebrate from the game.”
The Buffs were particularly strong on defense, holding Portland State to .364 shooting and forcing 26 turnovers. The Buffs racked up 18 steals, the most by a CU team since Nov. 28, 2023, against Boston.
“Coming into the season, we had the potential to be a really good defensive team,” Payne said. “I think we are seeing a little bit of that tonight. I still think we can be so much better defensively. We have a lot of players that can individually really guard.”
That defense had a slow start, as PSU tied the game at 11-11 with 3:49 to go in the first quarter. Over the next 6:50, though, the Vikings didn’t score, as CU forced seven turnovers. For the game, CU scored 27 points off PSU turnovers.
Walker led that charge, with a team-high five steals.
“Just turn the defense into offense,” Walker said of the message after the first quarter. “Just get something going in transition.”
Notable
At halftime, CU recognized former star point guard Jaylyn Sherrod with a spot on the Wall of Honor inside the Events Center. Sherrod, who plays for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, is the first former Buff to be a WNBA champion, in 2024 with the New York Liberty. … Walker, a transfer from Kansas State, matched her career high with five steals. … The Buffs were out-rebounded 16-10 in the first half, but out-rebounded the Vikings 29-8 in the second half.
Colorado 77, Portland State 45
PORTLAND STATE (1-2)
Yoakum 1-4 2-4 4, Ellington 1-5 0-0 2, Munk 0-2 0-0 0, Torres-Kahapea 3-7 0-0 7, Brown 6-13 0-0 16, Buzzard 0-4 5-6 5, Chicken 5-6 0-0 11, Encinas 0-0 0-0 0, Best 0-0 0-2 0, Moffat 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 16-44 7-12 45.
COLORADO (2-1)
Sanders 1-1 0-0 2, Wooten 3-8 0-0 8, Greer 8-12 1-2 19, Masogayo 2-5 0-0 4, Dutat 2-7 2-4 6, Gooden 3-5 2-3 8, Walker 3-8 2-2 8, O’Connor 3-7 0-0 8, Crook 3-6 1-2 7, McErlane 1-1 2-2 5, Zadel 1-7 0-2 2. Totals 30-67 10-17 77.
Portland State 11 12 13 9 – 45
Colorado 15 22 22 18 – 77
3-point goals – PSU 6-16 (Brown 4-7, Torres-Kahapea 1-3, Chicken 1-1, Buzzard 0-2, Moffat 0-2, Ellington 0-1), Colorado 7-22 (Wooten 2-5, O’Connor 2-4, Greer 2-3, McErlane 1-1, Dutat 0-4, Walker 0-2, Gooden 0-2, Crook 0-1). Rebounds – PSU 24 (Torres-Kahapea 6), Colorado 39 (Dutat 10). Assists – PSU 7 (Yoakum 3), Colorado 13 (Walker 6). Steals – PSU 7 (Ellington 3), Colorado 18 (Walker 5). Turnovers – PSU 26, Colorado 17. Total fouls – PSU 19, Colorado 11. Fouled out – Munk. Attendance – 2,540.