Buffs Lock Down Kansas State for First Road Win of the Season
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Colorado women’s basketball team turned up the defensive pressure and leaned on balanced scoring to grind out a 56-47 win over Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum on Thursday. It wasn’t flashy, but it was gritty - and it was exactly what the Buffs needed to notch their first road victory of the season.
From the opening tip, Colorado (14-7, 5-4 Big 12) set the tone. The Buffs held Kansas State (11-11, 4-5 Big 12) scoreless for the first three minutes of the game, and while the Wildcats made their pushes, CU never lost control for long. A late fourth-quarter surge sealed the deal, snapping a season-long road drought and giving the Buffs their first away win since edging BYU exactly one year ago.
“We really executed well,” head coach JR Payne said postgame. “This group is unselfish - you can see it in the way we share the scoring load.
We don’t have a 20-point scorer every night, but we’ve got a bunch of 10-point scorers. That’s who we are.”
Balanced Attack, Stifling Defense
Colorado’s team-first identity was on full display. Four players scored in double figures, and the Buffs owned the glass (41-33), the bench points (27-18), and the hustle stats - including a 15-4 edge in second-chance points.
Perhaps most impressive, though, was the perimeter defense. Kansas State shot just 13% from three, never finding a rhythm from beyond the arc.
Junior guard Zyanna Walker was the heartbeat of the Buffs on both ends of the floor. Facing her former team, Walker put together her first double-double of the season - 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds - and added four steals, two assists, and a whole lot of energy. Her late-game three-pointer helped spark a decisive 7-0 run that put the game out of reach.
Senior forward Jade Masogayo matched Walker’s 13 points while adding seven boards, two assists, and a block. She was a steadying force in the paint all night, especially during Colorado’s third and fourth-quarter runs.
Junior guard Desiree Wooten chipped in 11 points and brought her usual spark off the bench, while freshman forward Logyn Greer added 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists - including a key dish to Wooten late in the fourth that helped CU regain momentum.
How It Played Out
Colorado came out swinging, jumping to a 5-0 lead behind a three from sophomore forward Tabitha Betson and a fast-break layup from Walker. The Buffs led 13-10 after one, with Wooten doing early damage in the paint.
Kansas State responded with a 6-0 run to start the second quarter, briefly taking the lead. But Colorado didn’t flinch.
Good ball movement led to a jumper from freshman guard Erianna Gooden, followed by a three from the freshman and a pair of free throws from Masogayo to close the half on a 7-0 run. CU took a 22-18 lead into the break.
The third quarter was a back-and-forth battle, but Colorado never trailed. Masogayo and Wooten combined for three straight baskets during a key 6-0 stretch, and Greer’s mid-range jumper helped stop a mini Kansas State rally. CU held a 37-33 edge heading into the fourth.
The Wildcats made their push early in the final frame, using an 8-0 run to take a 41-38 lead - their biggest of the night. But again, Colorado answered.
Greer scored in the paint to stop the bleeding, then assisted Wooten for a go-ahead layup. Walker’s three-pointer capped a 7-0 burst that put CU back on top for good.
Down the stretch, it was all Buffs. Greer knocked down a clutch three, Walker hit two free throws, and Colorado closed on a 5-1 run to slam the door.
More Than Just a Win
This wasn’t just another conference victory - it was a statement about the Buffs’ resilience. After dropping several close road games earlier in the season, Colorado found a way to finish.
They didn’t rely on one star to carry the load. Instead, they leaned on depth, defense, and a team-first mentality that continues to define this group.
It also marked the 11th time this season that Colorado has had four or more players score in double figures - a stat that’s become a strong predictor of success. The Buffs are now 8-3 in those games.
Stat Leaders
- Zyanna Walker: 13 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists
- Jade Masogayo: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
- Desiree Wooten: 11 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound, 1 block
- Logyn Greer: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
- Tabitha Betson: 3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
- Erianna Gooden: 5 points, 3 assists, 1 steal
- Anaëlle Dutat: 8 rebounds, 1 assist
- Maeve McErlane: 1 assist
For Kansas State, Jordan Speiser led the way with 12 points and five rebounds, but the Wildcats struggled to generate consistent offense, especially from deep.
What’s Next
The Buffs stay on the road for a Sunday showdown with Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
MT and will stream on ESPN+. With momentum finally on their side away from Boulder, Colorado will look to build on this win and keep climbing the Big 12 standings.
This one wasn’t about style points - it was about toughness, execution, and finally getting over the road hump. The Buffs did all three.