The Colorado Buffaloes (5-1) took on the Utah State Aggies (1-4) Tuesday night and dominated the third quarter en route to a 95-65 victory. CU looked aggressive from the jump, as the Buffs handled full-court defensive pressure from the Aggies for the entirety of the game and still shot at a 55% clip. International student Lior Garzon led the Buffs with a career-high 28 points.
CU came in with a clear defensive strategy, switching every screen against an undersized Aggies team. With 6-foot-2 forward Nyamar Diew guarding out to half-court, Utah State was unable to get in a rhythm offensively and looked flustered early. Combined with the length of 6-foot-3 forward Jade Masogayo, the Buffs had their way in the paint.
Masogayo made a statement on the first play of the game when she drove straight to the basket and dominated her defender for a quick layup off the glass. Finishing with 17 points, six rebounds, and a career-high six assists, the forward was a difference-maker down low.
Kindyll Wetta continued to look confident and guided her team on both ends of the court. A vocal court general, Wetta was able to pick the pocket of the Aggies several times and complete the play with fast-break layups. Finishing with nine assists, Wetta is a key piece of this new team’s chemistry.
“She’s a phenomenal leader,” said Masogayo.
While CU looked energized early, errant passes were the cause for nine turnovers in the first quarter alone and continued to be an issue as the game went on. The Buffs struggled with the Aggies’ aggressive full-court pressure and athleticism early on as their passes kept getting deflected. As Utah State settled in, shots began to fall from beyond the arc and kept the Aggies in the game.
Garzon was a calming presence for the Buffs throughout, efficiently running the press break and directing traffic while also being the game’s top scorer. Ending the first half with fifteen points, Garzon had the hot hand and gave the Buffs the boost they needed. Seemingly automatic late in the shot clock, she squared up and knocked down long-range buckets.
Head coach JR Payne said the adjustments made at halftime emphasized limiting turnovers and keeping passes clean. Rotating in many of her ten new faces, the Buffs operated with many different lineups
“If we can play fast, we can get people in and out and stay fresh,” Payne said.
Guard Kennedy Sanders came up clutch off the bench for CU. The 5-foot-8 guard made her presence known with back-to-back strong takes to the basket and even came up with an offensive rebound–despite being the smallest player on the court. Her tenacity allowed Wetta to rest from handling the ball and running the offense.
Garzon’s third three of the game caused Utah State to take a timeout after CU’s lead stretched to 18. Payne’s bench was all smiles and Garzon’s teammates were ecstatic, hyping her up as she went 5-6 from three. The Buffs moved the ball extremely well and recorded 25 assists on 30 field goal attempts.
While the Buffs caught fire in the third quarter, the issue of turnovers persisted, and the team finished with 26 total. Though less-than-ideal, this new team is getting better by the week and learning to work with one another more each game.
Notably, Frida Formann was back in the lineup and looked confident and to be moving well, initiating contact and battling for rebounds. While she didn’t start, Formann was first off the bench and electrified the crowd each time she let her shot fly. Finishing with 15 points, the graduate transfer looked healthy and glad to be back on the court.
There was much to be celebrated on Tuesday night, as long-time superfan Peggy Coppom spent her 100th birthday watching her favorite team get a win at the CU Events Center. Serenaded by fans yet again, “Miss Peggy” sat perched on a throne and blew out her candles at halftime. Coppom had a busy day as she also stopped by Coach Prime’s press conference Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s incredible for her to spend this time with us,” Payne said.
After six games in 15 days, the Buffs will take a well-deserved eight-day break before battling tougher opponents, including No. 25 Louisville on November 30th.
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