Leonard And Fast Starts In Third Quarter Key For Buffs

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Colorado has had no trouble competing with the best of the Pac-12 over the past several games, but that has yet to translate into a win since defeating Arizona 65-56 at the Coors Events Center on Jan. 6. Each of the past three games CU has held a halftime lead, including an 11-point lead against No. 24 California, a one-point lead against No. 13 Stanford and a two-point lead against Oregon. In all three games the Buffs have seen that lead slip away early in the third quarter.

Despite lacking the overall athleticism and size of many of the top teams across the country, CU has found a way to compete this season with execution and discipline, ranking 17th in the nation in turnover margin, forcing over six more turnovers per game than its opponents. But the discipline has seemed to let up briefly early in the third quarter since Pac-12 play started and the Buffs have been outscored by an average of 22.0 to 14.6 in the third quarter over that time, including 62-36 over the past three games.

"I think we need to come out in the third quarter with an aggressive mindset," first-year head coach JR Payne said. "It feels like the first three minutes of the game and the first three minutes of the second half are two different teams. We come out and we're hesitant. I don't know if we're worried about, 'oh this has happened a couple times where we don't do well in the third quarter.' We've got to find a way to [have] the same, aggressive, hit-you-downhill, punch-you-in-the-mouth mentality. I think that's something we have to figure out as players and it's something we also have to figure out as coaches, how to get that out of them."

Sophomore point guard Kennedy Leonard has been a big part in helping keep games close when the lead slips away. But she believes the team hasn't been able to execute its halftime plan to start the second half.

"All we talk about [at halftime] is, 'they're going to try to get the ball inside,' or 'this is what they're going to do,'" Leonard said. "And we can't seem to get a handle on it when it happens in the third quarter. When we do, it's a little bit too late."

Leonard Turns Up In Crunch Time
The Buffs have managed to hang around in the fourth quarter thanks in large part to Leonard's efforts. She is averaging 7.9 points in the fourth quarter over the past eight games, a large chunk of her team-best 18.9 points per game this season, which is third-best in the Pac-12. Her 22 points in the fourth quarter against Wyoming are a school record. Leonard and UCLA All-America guard Jordin Canada are the only two players to rank in the top five in scoring, assists and steals in the conference.

"When it's in the fourth quarter and we need buckets, she's our best offensive weapon," Payne said. "She's the point guard so the ball's in her hands. We're asking her to be aggressive. She's one of our best shooters so I think that's what it is. A lot of kids shy away from the big moment. I think Kennedy shines in the big moment."

Looking Ahead To Sunday
Strong play by the Buffs coming out of halftime will be key to Sunday's game in Corvallis against No. 11 Oregon State. The Beavers are 17-2 overall this season and are tied for first place in the Pac-12 with a 6-1 mark in league play. Their lone conference loss came to No. 13 UCLA last weekend.

OSU ranks in the top 10 nationally in rebounding margin, field goal percentage defense and 3-point percentage.

Senior guard Sydney Wiese is the leader of the Beavers on both ends of the floor, averaging 15.3 points and 5.1 rebounds. She ranks fifth in the nation in 3-point percentage, connecting at a 48.6 percent clip. Marie Gülich is a 6-foot-5 junior and is scoring 10.9 points per game and grabbing 8.3 rebounds per game, giving Oregon State an excellent inside-outside combination. But it's the balance that stands out for OSU, which has nine players averaging over five points per game.

"Oregon State is honestly everything we aspire to be from a discipline standpoint," Payne said. "They're not the most athletic team in the country, but they're darn near the most disciplined. They're really tough, they're long, they play hard. They all are very fundamental and they do their job, and I think that is where a lot of their success comes from. Obviously Wiese is outstanding and they've got a lot of good players, but the thing that I admire most about them is they're very well-coached, they're very disciplined, they do their job and they execute."

Tipoff for Sunday's game is set for 4 p.m. MT at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis. It will be televised on Pac-12 Mountain and Pac-12 Oregon.

Leonard And Fast Starts In Third Quarter Key For Buffs

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Players Mentioned

Kennedy Leonard