Quick break
Why the Buffs gained: They saved their composure late, performed stable protection all through the evening and hit some huge pictures when wanted.
Three stars:
1. CU’s Maddie Nolan: Had a season-high 20 factors, together with six 3-pointers.
2. CU’s Aaronette Vonleh: Completed with solely 10 factors offensively, however had seven rebounds and a steal.
3. Washington’s Lauren Schwartz: Scored 18 factors and hit all 4 3-point makes an attempt.
Up subsequent: CU will host Washington State on Saturday at 1 p.m. (Pac-12 Community).
Colorado didn’t dominate in its return dwelling, however the No. 13 Buffaloes discovered one thing it had been sorely lacking: a victory.
Maddie Nolan acquired scorching from 3-point vary early and the Buffs had simply sufficient within the tank late to carry off Washington 68-62 on Thursday evening on the CU Occasions Heart.
CU (21-7, 11-6 Pac-12) snapped a four-game shedding streak and saved slim hopes alive for a top-four seed – and first-round bye – for subsequent week’s Pac-12 Match.
“I used to be simply actually excited to win once more,” mentioned Nolan, who went 6-of-7 from past the arc and had a season-high 20 factors. “After the sport, I used to be leaping round and I used to be like, ‘Guys, we gained!’ The season is so lengthy and also you get so caught up in numerous issues after which the losses, it may be arduous, however simply remembering to have fun each win, whether or not it’s towards a top-five workforce or whoever. So simply excited to be again within the win column, for certain.”
CU head coach JR Payne typically expresses the concept that being nice on a given day is the primary objective extra so than getting a win. The Buffs weren’t nice towards the Huskies (15-13, 5-12), however she was very happy to have fun the much-needed win.
“Completely,” she mentioned. “We positively wanted to be within the win column once more, as a result of although we performed rather well at instances – we performed rather well offensively at USC and actually, rather well defensively at UCLA – it nonetheless didn’t translate right into a win. Definitely we’re all going to really feel higher with getting that type of out of the way in which and now we simply need to actually dial in and proceed to get higher.”
Along with Nolan’s huge sport, Frida Formann had 12 factors and Aaronette Vonleh completed with 10 factors and 7 rebounds.
The Buffs, nonetheless, needed to thwart a late Washington rally.
CU by no means trailed within the ultimate 36 minutes and led by as many as 15 within the third quarter. The lead was nonetheless 12 halfway by way of the fourth when the Buffs went chilly, failing to attain a single level for five minutes, 23 seconds whereas Washington pulled inside 5, at 64-59.
Buffs level guard Jaylyn Sherrod, who went down with a face damage early within the third, then returned to the sport with 36.1 seconds left to spice up the Buffs. She was capable of hit 2-of-4 free throws and assist with CU’s ball management down the stretch to carry off the Huskies.
Colorado guard Frida Bormann drives towards Washington guard Hannah Stines in Pac-12 basketball on Feb. 29, 2024 in Boulder.(Cliff Grassmick/Workers Photographer) The close-game expertise of Sherrod and different veterans performed a task in holding off the Huskies.
“I don’t understand how properly we executed down the stretch however I imply, yeah, simply making an attempt to get the ball in out of bounds, know who to get it to, stuff like that, you form of be taught alongside the way in which and realizing what number of timeouts you may have,” Formann mentioned. “We’ve been working towards some late sport conditions. So simply being conscious of clock and rating and all that’s tremendous vital. So it’s all the time good to get follow with that in a stay sport.”
Finally, it wasn’t the prettiest of video games for the Buffs, who had simply two days of relaxation earlier than this one (Washington had three), however they acquired the job finished after a three-game street journey.
“Simply actually comfortable to be again at dwelling,” Payne mentioned, “and I’m actually pleased with how we performed in spurts; actually not 40 minutes however we performed actually, rather well in some spurts on either side of the ground. Simply pushing by way of fatigue and a few damage and issues like that. I knew we’d be drained. We had the longest journey, we performed a day later than they did and all of that, so I used to be actually pleased with how we responded.
“Lots of people got here in and actually contributed at totally different instances. Even performed by way of frustration, perhaps lacking some pictures we usually make, however saved their head within the sport in order that when the sport was on the road, we have been capable of execute and do some good issues.”
Notable
Within the NCAA committee’s second High 16 reveal on Thursday night, the Buffs have been tabbed as a No. 4 seed, and No. 13 general. Within the earlier reveal, on Feb. 15, the Buffs have been a No. 1 seed, and No. 4 general. The nine-spot drop matches the biggest within the eight-year historical past of the High 16 reveals. In 2022, Tennessee went from No. 4 to No. 13. Nevertheless, it retains CU in line to host through the first weekend of the NCAA Match.
No. 13 Colorado 68, Washington 62
WASHINGTON (15-13, 5-12)
Sellers 5-12 2-2 13, Stines 1-2 0-0 2, Schwartz 7-9 0-0 18, Daniels 6-15 1-4 13, Ladine 5-8 5-6 16, Brown 0-0 0-0 0, Briggs 0-4 0-0 0, Lengthy 0-3 0-0 0, Anderson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-53 8-12 62.
COLORADO (21-7, 11-6 Pac-12)
Sherrod 1-3 4-6 6, Formann 4-9 2-2 12, Miller 1-4 3-4 5, Vonleh 4-9 2-2 10, Nolan 7-8 0-0 20, Sadler 2-6 2-2 6, Smith 1-6 1-2 3, Wetta 2-6 1-4 6, Whittaker 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-52 15-22 68.
Washington 12 16 19 15 – 62
Colorado 18 21 20 9 – 68
3-point area targets – Washington 6-16 (Schwartz 4-4, Sellers 1-5, Ladine 1-3, Lengthy 0-3, Briggs 0-1), Colorado 9-20 (Nolan 6-7, Formann 2-6, Wetta 1-3, Smith 0-2, Miller 0-1, Sadler 0-1). Rebounds – Washington 28 (Daniels 8), Colorado 35 (Miller, Vonleh 7). Assists – Washington 10 (5 gamers with 2), Colorado 13 (Sadler, Wetta 5). Steals – Washington 7 (Sellers 3), Colorado 6 (Miller 2). Turnovers – Washington 16, Colorado 17. Complete fouls – Washington 17, Colorado 15. Fouled out – None. Attendance – 4,203.
