Colorado Buffaloes Triumph Over Oklahoma State in a Celebratory Game

In a game filled with excitement and significance, the Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball team delivered a strong performance to secure a 79-65 victory over Oklahoma State. The win marked a turning point for the Buffs, ending a three-game losing streak in their last four games. The celebration extended beyond the court as the team honored Ceal Barry, a legendary figure in the Colorado women’s basketball program.

The Buffs showcased their best offensive performance of the season, shooting an impressive .569 from the field. They also managed to hold Oklahoma State to just 5-for-25 from beyond the arc, demonstrating solid defensive efforts. With this win, Colorado improved its record to 13-7 overall and 4-4 in Big 12 play.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Jade Masogayo – Leading the charge for the Buffs was Jade Masogayo, who recorded a career-high tying 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting. She added five rebounds, showing her impact on both ends of the court.

2. Desiree Wooten – Coming off the bench, Desiree Wooten provided a strong all-around performance with 15 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Her contributions were crucial in maintaining the team’s momentum.

3. Achol Akot – On the opposing side, Achol Akot of Oklahoma State had a standout game, finishing with 22 points and nine rebounds. Despite her efforts, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Buffs’ superior performance.

A Special Day for Ceal Barry

The game took on an extra layer of significance as the Buffs celebrated the dedication of the Ceal Barry Plaza outside the CU Events Center. Ceal Barry, the winningest coach in the program’s history, was present at the game and received recognition during halftime. Her legacy continues to inspire the team and fans alike.

Head coach JR Payne expressed his admiration for Barry, stating, “Before I got here, when I thought of the University of Colorado, you think of the women’s basketball program. And you think of Ceal Barry. She was able to instill things that we also value: the work ethic, toughness, discipline, doing what you’re supposed to in the classroom, the community. All of those things. She’s just such a great role model.”

Key Moments and Execution

The Buffs started strong, building a 19-point lead in the first half. However, Oklahoma State made a late push to cut the lead to 35-25 at halftime. The third quarter saw Colorado regain control with a 7-2 run, extending their advantage back to 18 points.

Despite several comeback attempts by Oklahoma State, the Buffs remained composed. They held the Cowgirls to just one field goal in the final minutes of the game, sealing the victory with strong free throw shooting. This performance marked a significant improvement for the team, especially in the fourth quarter, where they had struggled in previous games.

Looking Ahead

With this win, the Buffs will head on the road for their next game against Kansas State on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. MT. The team is looking to build on this momentum as they continue their Big 12 schedule.

Game Summary

Oklahoma State (16-5, 5-3 Big 12):

Akot 9-14 4-5 22, Whiting 3-7 0-0 7, Gray 3-11 0-3 7, Timmer 7-13 0-1 17, Heard 0-5 3-6 3, J. Wooten 1-12 2-2 4, Egharevba 0-0 0-0 0, Girardi 0-3 5-6 5. Totals 23-65 14-23 65.

Colorado (13-7, 4-4):

Masogayo 9-14 4-4 22, Dutat 3-4 2-2 8, Walker 6-9 0-0 13, McErlane 1-3 1-2 4, Betson 1-2 0-0 3, D. Wooten 4-8 5-6 15, Greer 3-5 3-4 9, Gooden 0-3 1-2 1, Crook 0-1 0-0 0, Nworie 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 29-51 16-20 79.

Shooting Stats

• 3-point field goals: Oklahoma State 5-25 (Akot 0-1, Whiting 1-3, Gray 1-6, Timmer 3-8, Heard 0-3, J. Wooten 0-2, Girardi 0-2); Colorado 5-12 (Walker 1-1, McErlane 1-2, Betson 1-2, D. Wooten 2-3, Greer 0-2, Gooden 0-2).
• Rebounds: Oklahoma State 34 (Akot 9); Colorado 36 (D. Wooten, Greer 9).
• Assists: Oklahoma State 13 (J. Wooten 4); Colorado 14 (Dutat, D. Wooten, Greer 4).
• Turnovers: Oklahoma State 12 (Four players with two); Colorado 14 (Dutat 4).
• Total fouls: Oklahoma State 21, Colorado 22.
• Fouled out: Akot.
• Attendance: 3,152.