Colorado
4-0
New Mexico
1-3
Colorado Rolls To A 85-53 Win At New Mexico
November 23, 2013 | Women's Basketball
ALBUQUERQUE – The popular question around the University of Colorado women's basketball team this past off season is who would step up and take over the scoring punch from all Pac-12 Conference guard Chucky Jeffery.
The early returns on the answer? Everybody.
No. 16 (AP)/20 (USAT) Colorado had five players in double-digits led by Jen Reese's 18 points as the Buffaloes ran away with an 85-53 decision over New Mexico Saturday afternoon at The Pit.
Reese, a 6-2 junior forward, hit 7-of-10 from the field and drilled two early 3-pointers for the second best scoring output of her career. She received the starting nod for Arielle Roberson, who missed Saturday's game with a concussion.
Lexy Kresl had 13 points, Lauren Huggins had 12 connecting on 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Jasmine Sborov had 11, all in the first half. Jamee Swan came off the bench to add a season-best 10 points.
The Buffaloes, who have hit 80-plus in their last three games, scored their most points in a true road game, in regulation, since a 101-56 at TCU on Dec. 7, 1993. The win was also the 28th straight for Colorado during regular season nonconference play.
Colorado was efficient on offense hitting a season-high 56 percent from the field. The Buffaloes were just as potent from the 3-point line, making 10-of-18 attempts.
"We did play really well," CU head coach Linda Lappe said. "I liked our versatility and the way we played together on the offensive side. We moved the ball, moved ourselves, we had nice action towards, nice action away. When you have that many players that can drive, that can score, that can pass and see the open player, you become a very tough team to guard."
It was outside early and often for the Buffaloes. After spotting New Mexico an early 7-3 lead Sborov scored six straight, including a 3-pointer that tied the game at 9-9. Ashley Wilson gave CU its first lead at 12-9 on her first 3-pointer of the year at 14:45 of the first half.
Wilson's bucket ended up being the first of three straight possessions that ended in Colorado 3-pointers. Huggins followed Wilson's with her first of the game and Reese connected on her second the next time down the court.
Minutes later Sborov drilled another 3-pointer to cap of a 20-6 run that gave Colorado a 29-15 lead at 8:17 of the first period. The Buffaloes made 8-of-12 from downtown in the first half alone.
The Buffaloes also distributed the ball well once again, dishing out 19 assists, led by Kresl with five.
"When we move the ball, if we get paint touches, we are pretty hard to stop," Reese said. "Everyone on the floor is so versatile that we can score in so many different ways."
New Mexico was led by Sara Halasz who nearly single-handedly kept the Lobos in the game in the first half. The senior guard scored 12 of her 16 points in the first half as the Buffaloes held onto a 42-28 lead at the break.
New Mexico pulled within 12 early in the second half, at 48-36 three minutes in, but the depth of Colorado began to break through. As much success as Colorado had from long range in the first half, the Buffaloes attacked the basket in the second.
Reese had her two early 3-pointers, but changed gears going 4-of-6 from the field in the second half for 10 points closer to the basket including a couple free throws. Swan had eight of her 10 points in the final frame. Kresl and Wilson both had success driving in the lane as well.
"We didn't force very much," Lappe said. "When we got down deep in the paint, we didn't force very many things. If we weren't open, we'd kick it out to find the open shooter, and they would either take the shot, or find the next drive or find the next player. I liked the fact that we can score in a lot of different ways."
The Buffaloes also clamped down defensively. After allowing the Lobos to shoot 44 percent in the first half, New Mexico made just 35 percent in the second as the Buffaloes closed out the contest with a 26-11 run over the final 12:16.
Colorado will be back in action next weekend as the Buffaloes host the 27th Annual Omni Hotels Classic, Nov. 29-30, at the Coors Events Center. Rice and Samford will tip off the tournament on Friday, at 5 p.m. followed by Colorado's game with South Alabama at 7:30 p.m. The consolation game will be played on Saturday at 5 p.m., followed by the championship at 7:30 p.m.
