Colorado University Athletics
Wednesday, October 29
Boulder, Colo.
7:00 PM
Colorado
87
vs
24
Colorado School of Mines
Buffs Top Orediggers in Exhibition
October 29, 2025 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER – Colorado women's basketball (0-0, 0-0 Big 12) opened its 2025–26 campaign in dominant fashion Wednesday night, cruising to an 87–24 exhibition win over Colorado School of Mines (0-0, 0-0 RMAC) at CU Events Center on Oct. 29.
The Buffaloes set the tone early, jumping out to a commanding lead in the first quarter and never looking back. Colorado used balanced scoring and defensive intensity to control the pace throughout the night, showcasing depth and energy across the roster in the preseason tune-up.
Head coach JR Payne praised her team's focus and execution in the first outing of the year, noting the value of the exhibition in setting the tone for the season ahead. The matchup gave Colorado an opportunity to blend returning experience with fresh faces, as the Buffs continue to build chemistry before entering a challenging nonconference slate.
Colorado will officially tip off the regular season next Thursday, Nov. 6, when the Buffs host New Mexico at CU Events Center.
The following includes key quotes from head coach JR Payne, senior forward Jade Masogayo and redshirt sophomore guard Kennedy Sanders from the post-game press conference:
Head Coach JR Payne:
Opening Statement:
"A great team victory. I'm really proud of how we played, and [it was] just so awesome to see every single player that was suited up tonight be able to play, contribute in really meaningful ways, and a lot of it showed up in the stat sheet. We also did some things that did not necessarily show up in the stat sheet, but are tremendous growth areas for us. I'm really proud of how we played tonight. I thought we'd be way more nervous, and maybe we were, but it definitely didn't show. A great way to start the season."
On having all players on the court:
"It has been really hard. We haven't had any big injuries, but we've had things that have kept people out for a week or two or three at a time, and so to have everyone back – gelling together, playing well together on the court – we saw glimpses of what we are capable of doing throughout the season. Our balance was great. Our ability to problem-solve was very good. Mines does some things defensively that can be tricky against the offense that we run, and so I thought we handled it really well. I thought we made adjustments well. Our rebounding effort – I thought that was incredible. A lot of hustle plays, a lot of really good communication, as I said, some things that don't really show up in the stat sheet, but that are critical for our success."
On only having eight turnovers in the first half:
"It is a big deal. I think we led the world in turnovers last year. It's been a huge focus for us, even in practice, for the past month or so. We have limited basketballs that we are allowed to play with, and if we run out of balls, we just run for the rest of the time. And so, I think it's forced on us; we don't ever want to take away our aggressiveness, but it's forced us to be patient and take what's there. I always tell our team, if it's kind of there, it's not there. So I think just sort of shifting our mindset, we want to be aggressive. And I thought we made some really aggressive plays tonight in transition and in the half-court, but we also want to play on balance. We want to make sure we're moving for each other, and I think that's going to help us take care of the ball better."
On Erianna Gooden during this game:
"She's a winner, she's won at everything she's ever done, from playing as the only girl in the tackle football league to winning a state championship last year with a torn labrum and was state MVP. She's a kid that's very competitive, really talented, very coachable. She always makes me feel old, because everything I say to her, [she says], 'Yes, ma'am, no, ma'am, yes, ma'am, yes, ma'am.' She's great, and I think she's going to continue to grow and be great."
Sr. F Jade Masogayo
On the team's defensive potential:
"I think it's been harped on a lot the summer and preseason about pressuring the ball, getting up defensively, just doing a lot of that. I think that we're going to be a good defensive team this year."
On if she's happy with the team's performance:
"I'm definitely very pleased with our progress. It's just nice being able to gel with all of our teammates and stuff like that. Just to come together and find great chemistry within all of us. So, it's just nice."
R-So G Kennedy Sanders
On if it felt different stepping onto the court this season vs last:
"Yeah, it was definitely different just being in a different role, but we've talked a lot about me stepping up. I've been here for two years, and we don't have anyone that's been here for two years, so just taking the stuff I learned from Jaylyn and Kindyll, I obviously learned a lot from them. So, just taking that into everything that I'm doing, and making sure I'm being organized."
For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsWBB.
The Buffaloes set the tone early, jumping out to a commanding lead in the first quarter and never looking back. Colorado used balanced scoring and defensive intensity to control the pace throughout the night, showcasing depth and energy across the roster in the preseason tune-up.
Head coach JR Payne praised her team's focus and execution in the first outing of the year, noting the value of the exhibition in setting the tone for the season ahead. The matchup gave Colorado an opportunity to blend returning experience with fresh faces, as the Buffs continue to build chemistry before entering a challenging nonconference slate.
Colorado will officially tip off the regular season next Thursday, Nov. 6, when the Buffs host New Mexico at CU Events Center.
The following includes key quotes from head coach JR Payne, senior forward Jade Masogayo and redshirt sophomore guard Kennedy Sanders from the post-game press conference:
Head Coach JR Payne:
Opening Statement:
"A great team victory. I'm really proud of how we played, and [it was] just so awesome to see every single player that was suited up tonight be able to play, contribute in really meaningful ways, and a lot of it showed up in the stat sheet. We also did some things that did not necessarily show up in the stat sheet, but are tremendous growth areas for us. I'm really proud of how we played tonight. I thought we'd be way more nervous, and maybe we were, but it definitely didn't show. A great way to start the season."
On having all players on the court:
"It has been really hard. We haven't had any big injuries, but we've had things that have kept people out for a week or two or three at a time, and so to have everyone back – gelling together, playing well together on the court – we saw glimpses of what we are capable of doing throughout the season. Our balance was great. Our ability to problem-solve was very good. Mines does some things defensively that can be tricky against the offense that we run, and so I thought we handled it really well. I thought we made adjustments well. Our rebounding effort – I thought that was incredible. A lot of hustle plays, a lot of really good communication, as I said, some things that don't really show up in the stat sheet, but that are critical for our success."
On only having eight turnovers in the first half:
"It is a big deal. I think we led the world in turnovers last year. It's been a huge focus for us, even in practice, for the past month or so. We have limited basketballs that we are allowed to play with, and if we run out of balls, we just run for the rest of the time. And so, I think it's forced on us; we don't ever want to take away our aggressiveness, but it's forced us to be patient and take what's there. I always tell our team, if it's kind of there, it's not there. So I think just sort of shifting our mindset, we want to be aggressive. And I thought we made some really aggressive plays tonight in transition and in the half-court, but we also want to play on balance. We want to make sure we're moving for each other, and I think that's going to help us take care of the ball better."
On Erianna Gooden during this game:
"She's a winner, she's won at everything she's ever done, from playing as the only girl in the tackle football league to winning a state championship last year with a torn labrum and was state MVP. She's a kid that's very competitive, really talented, very coachable. She always makes me feel old, because everything I say to her, [she says], 'Yes, ma'am, no, ma'am, yes, ma'am, yes, ma'am.' She's great, and I think she's going to continue to grow and be great."
Sr. F Jade Masogayo
On the team's defensive potential:
"I think it's been harped on a lot the summer and preseason about pressuring the ball, getting up defensively, just doing a lot of that. I think that we're going to be a good defensive team this year."
On if she's happy with the team's performance:
"I'm definitely very pleased with our progress. It's just nice being able to gel with all of our teammates and stuff like that. Just to come together and find great chemistry within all of us. So, it's just nice."
R-So G Kennedy Sanders
On if it felt different stepping onto the court this season vs last:
"Yeah, it was definitely different just being in a different role, but we've talked a lot about me stepping up. I've been here for two years, and we don't have anyone that's been here for two years, so just taking the stuff I learned from Jaylyn and Kindyll, I obviously learned a lot from them. So, just taking that into everything that I'm doing, and making sure I'm being organized."
For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsWBB.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
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