Thursday, December 6
Boulder, Colo.
7:00 PM
Colorado
7-1
76
vs
64
San Jose State
1-6
1
2
3
4
F
San Jose St.
16
16
13
19
64
Colorado
19
16
23
18
76
Team Stats
SJSU
COLO
FG%
.365
.423
3FG%
.378
.200
FT%
.800
.643
RB
38
46
TO
14
8
STL
4
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
24
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
17
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballPhoto by: Cliff Grassmick
Leonard, Hollingshed Fuel Buffs
December 06, 2018 | Women's Basketball
Colorado picks up 76-64 win over SJSU
BOULDER–University of Colorado senior Kennedy Leonard continued to climb up the school's all-time scoring list for women's basketball here Thursday night, surpassing the 1,500-point mark in helping the Buffaloes defeat San Jose State, 76-64.
Sophomore Mya Hollingshed enjoyed a career-night, registering her first career double-double. She set new-highs with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead all players in both categories.
The win improves Colorado to 7-1 on the season. San Jose State falls to 1-6.
The Buffs and Spartans battled for control of the game in the opening 10 minutes. Neither side seemed to find the urgency to get to the basket. Colorado found itself down 7-6 early on, forcing the Buffs to take a timeout just over two minutes into the game.
CU adjusted accordingly and began to get the ball down in the low post. The Buffs put together a 6-0 run out of the break, closing the quarter with 12 points in the paint. Freshman Peanut Tuitele hit from 3 to end the quarter, giving CU a slim 19-16 advantage.
Hollingshed took over for the Buffs in the second. She scored six points in CU's 9-0 run to open the quarter. Colorado continued to find success down low, adding 10 more points in the paint. Hollingshed led all players with 16 points and seven rebounds at the break. Leonard's 3 just before the half gave her seven points on the night, pushing her past the milestone mark.
The Buffs shot 35.0 percent in the first half and led by three, 35-32. SJSU's offense was equally effective, hitting 34.4 percent. Colorado's efficiency picked up in the second half, converting on 16-of-30 from the field (53.3 percent).
San Jose State kept the pressure on, hitting an opponent-high 14 3-pointers. The Spartans cut the CU lead down to three in the third quarter but would not get any closer. Colorado's advantage grew to 18, 70-52, with just under four minutes to go in the fourth.
Stat Leaders: Colorado had three players finish in double figures. Tuitele, the reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, joined Hollingshed and Leonard with 17 points. She also added five rebounds to her final line. Leonard was active on both sides of the court, closing with eight rebounds and seven assists.
Cydni Lewis paced the Spartans with 18 points.
How it Happened: Colorado benefited from timely runs, especially in the second half. The Buffs opened the third quarter, scoring the first seven points to regain the double-digit lead. SJSU came right back, cutting CU's lead to 42-39. The resilient Buffs charged back with an 11-0 run over at 2:30 span, putting the game out of reach at 53-39.
Key Statistic: Colorado used its size to its advantage. The Buffs outscored the Spartans 46-18 in the paint. CU scored at least 10 points down low in all four quarters. The game's biggest margin came in the third quarter with Colorado winning the paint, 14-4.
Notes: CU improves to 5-0 at home this season…Colorado has won all three meetings against the Spartans…Colorado handed out a season-high 20 assists…CU's eight turnovers marked a season-low…SJSU's leading scorer Fieme'a Hafoka (11.6 ppg) was held to six points on the night…SJSU had a season-low in free-throws made (4) and attempted (5)…Leonard moved into 11th on CU's all-time scoring list (1,514) and ninth in most 3FGM (146)…she is also second in assists with 592…Tuitele has scored a combined 50 points in CU's last three games.
Up Next: CU remains at home through the start of the New Year. The Buffs will host Navy on Sunday (1 p.m.).
POSTGAME QUOTES:
Head Coach JR Payne
Overall thoughts
"One of our great boosters came up to me after the game and said, 'Well the good thing is you have something to work on tomorrow.' The reality is that is what the preseason is about. We have not played a perfect game yet this year and I doubt we'll play one at any point this season, but we will strive for it. The preseason is designed to challenge and test you and see what your strengths and weaknesses are. We clearly have things that we need to continue to work on and grow. We also clearly have some things that we do pretty well. I was proud of our rebounding effort tonight and at times we moved the ball really well. We have just got to shoot the ball better from three and we will continue to work on that."
On what the team needs to work on
"We need to be able to penetrate the paint. When our 3's are not falling we have to be able to do something else besides continually shoot the 3. I think when we turn on the film we will see that there was a lot of opportunities to penetrate the paint. We need to take those opportunities in the half-court offense."
On changes after the first quarter timeout
"The biggest thing we were talking about was transition defense. We like to transition and they also like to transition. We were not communicating as effectively as we needed to transition defense wise. They continued to get people open near the basket. I think we were more concerned about shooters on the perimeter but that is something that is easily fixable through film study and making that adjustment. We did talk about penetrating more and getting back in transition."
Senior Kennedy Leonard
On reaching 1,500 career points
"I knew that I could get it, but it was not my main concern. I think the team relies on me to get the offense going. The first half I think I only had 4 points [seven] and a few assists. In the second half, I came in and tried to get to the basket. I would draw a lot of attention, so I would try to get my teammates involved. I just need to get the team involved early to see what we can get out of it."
On closing in on the all-time assist record
"If I get it that is cool, if I do not that is cool too. I do not really care as long as we are winning games. I am more competitive than anything. If we can win some games and I get it that is cool. If we win and I do not get it that is cool. But if we lose that is not cool. I am just trying to get us some wins and if I get the record, I get the record."
Sophomore Mya Hollingshed
On her career night
"I just continue to do what I do best. Coach just told me to keep finding the open spaces in the zone. I just kept moving and I knew Kennedy was going to find me. I was working to get my team open and have them get open shots. I just play it play-to-play. I do not really worry about the numbers. I am glad that I finally got a double-double, but we have just got to worry about Navy on Sunday."
On a having a bigger presence in the paint
"I have been trying to incorporate some low post presence and I think it's been working out for the best. I have just got to keep working every day and continue to practice."
Sophomore Mya Hollingshed enjoyed a career-night, registering her first career double-double. She set new-highs with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead all players in both categories.
The win improves Colorado to 7-1 on the season. San Jose State falls to 1-6.
The Buffs and Spartans battled for control of the game in the opening 10 minutes. Neither side seemed to find the urgency to get to the basket. Colorado found itself down 7-6 early on, forcing the Buffs to take a timeout just over two minutes into the game.
CU adjusted accordingly and began to get the ball down in the low post. The Buffs put together a 6-0 run out of the break, closing the quarter with 12 points in the paint. Freshman Peanut Tuitele hit from 3 to end the quarter, giving CU a slim 19-16 advantage.
Hollingshed took over for the Buffs in the second. She scored six points in CU's 9-0 run to open the quarter. Colorado continued to find success down low, adding 10 more points in the paint. Hollingshed led all players with 16 points and seven rebounds at the break. Leonard's 3 just before the half gave her seven points on the night, pushing her past the milestone mark.
The Buffs shot 35.0 percent in the first half and led by three, 35-32. SJSU's offense was equally effective, hitting 34.4 percent. Colorado's efficiency picked up in the second half, converting on 16-of-30 from the field (53.3 percent).
San Jose State kept the pressure on, hitting an opponent-high 14 3-pointers. The Spartans cut the CU lead down to three in the third quarter but would not get any closer. Colorado's advantage grew to 18, 70-52, with just under four minutes to go in the fourth.
Stat Leaders: Colorado had three players finish in double figures. Tuitele, the reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, joined Hollingshed and Leonard with 17 points. She also added five rebounds to her final line. Leonard was active on both sides of the court, closing with eight rebounds and seven assists.
Cydni Lewis paced the Spartans with 18 points.
How it Happened: Colorado benefited from timely runs, especially in the second half. The Buffs opened the third quarter, scoring the first seven points to regain the double-digit lead. SJSU came right back, cutting CU's lead to 42-39. The resilient Buffs charged back with an 11-0 run over at 2:30 span, putting the game out of reach at 53-39.
Key Statistic: Colorado used its size to its advantage. The Buffs outscored the Spartans 46-18 in the paint. CU scored at least 10 points down low in all four quarters. The game's biggest margin came in the third quarter with Colorado winning the paint, 14-4.
Notes: CU improves to 5-0 at home this season…Colorado has won all three meetings against the Spartans…Colorado handed out a season-high 20 assists…CU's eight turnovers marked a season-low…SJSU's leading scorer Fieme'a Hafoka (11.6 ppg) was held to six points on the night…SJSU had a season-low in free-throws made (4) and attempted (5)…Leonard moved into 11th on CU's all-time scoring list (1,514) and ninth in most 3FGM (146)…she is also second in assists with 592…Tuitele has scored a combined 50 points in CU's last three games.
Up Next: CU remains at home through the start of the New Year. The Buffs will host Navy on Sunday (1 p.m.).
POSTGAME QUOTES:
Head Coach JR Payne
Overall thoughts
"One of our great boosters came up to me after the game and said, 'Well the good thing is you have something to work on tomorrow.' The reality is that is what the preseason is about. We have not played a perfect game yet this year and I doubt we'll play one at any point this season, but we will strive for it. The preseason is designed to challenge and test you and see what your strengths and weaknesses are. We clearly have things that we need to continue to work on and grow. We also clearly have some things that we do pretty well. I was proud of our rebounding effort tonight and at times we moved the ball really well. We have just got to shoot the ball better from three and we will continue to work on that."
On what the team needs to work on
"We need to be able to penetrate the paint. When our 3's are not falling we have to be able to do something else besides continually shoot the 3. I think when we turn on the film we will see that there was a lot of opportunities to penetrate the paint. We need to take those opportunities in the half-court offense."
On changes after the first quarter timeout
"The biggest thing we were talking about was transition defense. We like to transition and they also like to transition. We were not communicating as effectively as we needed to transition defense wise. They continued to get people open near the basket. I think we were more concerned about shooters on the perimeter but that is something that is easily fixable through film study and making that adjustment. We did talk about penetrating more and getting back in transition."
Senior Kennedy Leonard
On reaching 1,500 career points
"I knew that I could get it, but it was not my main concern. I think the team relies on me to get the offense going. The first half I think I only had 4 points [seven] and a few assists. In the second half, I came in and tried to get to the basket. I would draw a lot of attention, so I would try to get my teammates involved. I just need to get the team involved early to see what we can get out of it."
On closing in on the all-time assist record
"If I get it that is cool, if I do not that is cool too. I do not really care as long as we are winning games. I am more competitive than anything. If we can win some games and I get it that is cool. If we win and I do not get it that is cool. But if we lose that is not cool. I am just trying to get us some wins and if I get the record, I get the record."
Sophomore Mya Hollingshed
On her career night
"I just continue to do what I do best. Coach just told me to keep finding the open spaces in the zone. I just kept moving and I knew Kennedy was going to find me. I was working to get my team open and have them get open shots. I just play it play-to-play. I do not really worry about the numbers. I am glad that I finally got a double-double, but we have just got to worry about Navy on Sunday."
On a having a bigger presence in the paint
"I have been trying to incorporate some low post presence and I think it's been working out for the best. I have just got to keep working every day and continue to practice."
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