The Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball team reached a significant season milestone on Thursday night, overcoming late-game pressure to defeat Kansas State 56-47 at Bramlage Coliseum. The victory marks a turning point for the program, securing their first true road win of the season and ending an eight-game conference skid away from home.
Defensive Dominance and Glass Control
The Buffaloes (14-7, 5-4 Big 12) built their success on a foundation of physical defense and relentless rebounding. Colorado controlled the boards throughout the contest, out-rebounding the Wildcats 41-33. The team was particularly effective on the offensive glass, hauling in 16 offensive rebounds and converting those opportunities into 15 critical second-chance points.
Defensively, the Buffaloes stifled the Kansas State offense, holding the hosts to just 32.7% shooting from the field. This defensive intensity proved vital in a game where neither side could find a consistent rhythm for the first three quarters.
Walker’s Memorable Return
The night belonged to Zyanna Walker, who returned to Manhattan to face her former program. Walker delivered a standout performance, recording her second career double-double with 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. She also anchored the perimeter defense with four steals.
Reflecting on the emotional victory, head coach JR Payne noted that while Walker holds a deep appreciation for her time at Kansas State, her focus remained on the task at hand. Payne highlighted Walker’s resilience, noting the hard work she put in to return from a fall injury to perform at such a high level in front of friends and family.
Turning the Tide in the Fourth Quarter
After struggling in tight road games earlier this month, the Buffaloes displayed newfound composure in the final period. Though Kansas State surged to a 41-38 lead with 7:33 remaining, Colorado responded with a decisive 18-6 run to close out the game.
Logyn Greer sparked the comeback with a gritty put-back following an offensive rebound, and Desiree Wooten regained the lead with a timely layup. With the score tied at 42-42, Walker silenced the home crowd with a clutch three-pointer that ignited a 7-0 run. Greer later sealed the result with a deep three-pointer in the final 90 seconds, followed by Walker’s ice-cold free throws to finalize the scoring.
Balanced Scoring Leads the Way
Colorado’s offensive approach relied on versatility rather than a single primary scorer. Jade Masogayo overcame a quiet start to finish with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Greer and Wooten each contributed 11 points. Coach Payne emphasized that this unselfishness is a hallmark of the team, noting that having multiple players reach double figures makes the offense difficult to scout and defend.
“To win on the road in this conference, everyone has to execute their role at a high level,” Payne said. “I thought we were incredibly unselfish tonight, scoring in a variety of ways and knocking down the shots we needed to put the game away.”
Looking Ahead
Following this breakthrough performance, the Buffaloes will look to maintain their momentum as their road trip continues. The team is scheduled to travel to face Kansas this Sunday, with tip-off set for 1 p.m. MT.
