Buffs Dominate BYU With Statement Win in Boulder
BOULDER - From a slow start to a statement finish, Colorado women's basketball put together one of its most complete performances of the season, rolling past BYU 76-46 at the CU Events Center on Saturday. With the win, the Buffaloes move to 18-8 overall and 9-5 in Big 12 play, while BYU drops to 17-9 (6-8 Big 12).
What began as a grind-it-out opening frame quickly turned into a showcase of Colorado’s depth, energy, and defensive intensity. The Buffs held the Cougars to just eight points in the first quarter - BYU’s lowest opening frame of the season - and never looked back. By halftime, CU had built a commanding 23-point lead and carried that momentum through all four quarters, never trailing for a single possession.
A Balanced Attack and Defensive Masterclass
Head coach JR Payne summed it up best: “Our effort on the glass, our effort in transition, and our defensive effort were absolutely unbelievable.” And she wasn’t exaggerating.
Colorado dominated nearly every statistical category. They outrebounded BYU 50-26, outscored them in the paint 40-30, and racked up 17 second-chance points compared to just two for the Cougars. The Buffs also shared the ball well, dishing out 18 assists to BYU’s eight, while shooting 45% from the field and 81% from the free-throw line.
But the real story was the defense. CU held BYU to a season-low 46 points, including just 18 in the first half. The Buffs’ rotations were crisp, their help defense was timely, and they consistently forced the Cougars into tough, contested looks - BYU shot just 31% from the field and 12% from three.
Dutat Delivers Career Night
Senior forward Anaëlle Dutat was the engine behind Colorado’s dominance. She poured in a career-high 19 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, and added three assists and three steals - her sixth double-double of the season and second in as many games. Dutat was relentless on both ends, drawing fouls, finishing through contact, and anchoring the Buffs’ interior defense.
She wasn’t alone. Junior guard Desiree Wooten was everywhere - scoring 16 points, grabbing six rebounds, handing out seven assists, and swiping three steals. Her court vision and poise in transition helped Colorado push the tempo and keep BYU on its heels.
Senior forward Jade Masogayo added 15 points and eight rebounds, notching her 200th career assist in the process. Her presence in the paint was a difference-maker, both as a scorer and as a rebounder.
Sophomore forward Tabitha Betson chipped in with 11 points, including three triples, and added four boards and three steals. Her ability to stretch the floor opened up driving lanes for CU’s guards and gave the offense another layer of versatility.
How It Unfolded
After a sluggish start, Colorado found its rhythm midway through the first quarter. A 7-0 run, sparked by a Jade Crook three and capped by a Dutat and-one, gave CU control. By the end of the quarter, the Buffs had built a 17-8 lead.
The second quarter was all Colorado. Masogayo and Dutat continued to go to work inside, while Betson and Gooden added timely buckets. A 12-0 run midway through the frame blew the game wide open, and by halftime, the Buffs had a 41-18 advantage.
BYU tried to respond in the third, but every Cougar bucket was met with a swift answer from Colorado. Wooten’s three-point play early in the quarter set the tone, and Dutat continued to pile on from the free-throw line. CU closed the third up 58-31, and the fourth quarter was more of the same - balanced scoring, tough defense, and a team that looked locked in from top to bottom.
Freshman center Jade Crook added seven points off the bench, including a key offensive rebound and putback to stop a brief BYU run in the fourth. Fr.
G Erianna Gooden and Fr. F Logyn Greer also contributed valuable minutes, showcasing the depth that makes this Colorado squad dangerous.
A Historic Win
This wasn’t just another conference victory. It marked Colorado’s first win by 20 or more points against a Big 12 opponent this season and extended their win streak over BYU to eight straight. The Buffs also matched their conference win total from last year - a sign of steady growth in a deep and competitive league.
CU now owns a 10-7 all-time record against BYU and improves to 118-154 in Big 12 play overall.
What’s Next
The Buffs hit the road next, heading to Tucson to face Arizona on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. MT, with streaming available on ESPN+.
If Colorado can bottle up the energy and execution they showed against BYU, they’ll be a tough out down the stretch - and a team no one wants to see come tournament time.