Tempe, Ariz. – It was just another day at the office for the No. 5-ranked Colorado women's basketball team, picking up a solid 81-68 victory over Arizona State on Sunday afternoon.
The thankfully much more comfortable win compared to Friday's bumped CU's record to 13-1, 3-0 in conference play for the first time since the 1996-97 season. ASU falls to 8-7, still yet to pick up a Pac-12 victory in three games played.
The Buffs blitzed through the first half, led by junior center Aaronette Vonleh. She scored 18 of her 20 total points in the contest's opening 15 minutes alone. Vonleh also finished with three blocks, dominating the interior of Arizona State on both ends.
"It's kind of like football if you can establish the run as they say," said CU head coach JR Payne regarding the strategy of feeding Vonleh inside early in games. "I think it opens up the perimeter game as well. So that balance is important."
After sitting at a 25-18 lead after one quarter, Colorado outstandingly outscored the Sun Devils 25-7 in the second, ultimately doubling ASU's point total at the half (50-25). This second period included what was at one point a 19-2 CU run.
Senior guard Frida Formann guided the black and gold through a somewhat rocky second half with 10 points. Formann finished with 13 total points on 5-for-7 shooting (3-for-5 from three).
Graduate forward Quay Miller notched another double-double with 11 total points and 10 rebounds. Despite shooting just 1-for-8 from the field, Miller got to the free throw line with ease, shooting 9-10 from the charity stripe.
Maddie Nolan had one of her better performances since joining CU this season with 11 points and three rebounds. She led the way offensively in the Buffs' dominant second quarter, nailing three triples for 9 of her 11 total points.
"She's incredible. She's a coach's dream," Payne added. "Anyone in the country would love to coach her because she's so unselfish, so hard-working and just wants to be a part of a great team. She contributes in so many ways that don't show up on the stat sheet."
Colorado's backcourt did a little bit of everything as well. Jaylyn Sherrod compiled nine points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals, while Kindyll Wetta added six points, six assists, and two steals.
Despite struggling to guard sophomore Sun Devil guard Jaylyn Brown, who exploded for 35 points on 11-for-23 shooting (11-for-12 at the free throw line), CU's defense looked locked in from the opening tip. They managed to hold every other ASU player to a dismal 9-for-35 (25.7%) shooting clip on the afternoon.
The Buffaloes' somewhat lackadaisical second half caused the scoreboard to indicate a more competitive game than Sunday afternoon was, but Colorado's clean and efficient first half (just 5 turnovers to 16 assists on 54.3% shooting) proved to be too much for a reeling Sun Devil squad that has now lost five of their last six games.
The No. 5-ranked Buffs now look ahead to a gauntlet of a homestand in the coming weeks, first up against the California Golden Bears this Friday (Jan. 12). Tipoff from the CU Events Center is set for 7 p.m. MT.
Cover photo by CUBuffsWBB/Twitter
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