In a season defined by narrow misses on the road, the Colorado Buffaloes finally broke through on Thursday night. Relying on a dominant defensive performance and timely fourth-quarter shooting, the Buffaloes secured a 56-47 victory over Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum, marking their first true road win of the campaign.
The victory was particularly significant for Colorado (14-7, 5-4 Big 12), as it snapped an eight-game conference road losing streak. The Buffaloes swung the momentum late, outscoring the Wildcats 18-6 over the final seven minutes of play to pull away in a contest that remained tight for three quarters.
Walker Shines in Return to Manhattan
The story of the night centered on Zyanna Walker, who returned to the arena where she played for two seasons before transferring to Colorado. Walker delivered a standout performance, recording her second career double-double with 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. She also anchored the defense with four steals.
“Everyone had to do their job really well to win a game on the road in this conference,” said Colorado head coach JR Payne. “I thought we executed and did exactly what we needed to do against a very talented K-State team.”
Walker’s impact was felt most in the closing minutes. With the game tied at 42-42, she drained a critical three-pointer at the 5:35 mark, sparking a 7-0 run that shifted the lead for good. Her composure at the free-throw line in the final seconds eventually sealed the result.
Balanced Attack and Defensive Dominance
While Walker provided the spark, Colorado’s victory was a product of collective efficiency. Jade Masogayo finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, overcoming a slow start to become a force in the second half. Off the bench, Logyn Greer contributed 11 points and six rebounds, including seven points in the final frame. Desiree Wooten also reached double figures with 11 points.
The Buffaloes won the battle in the trenches, out-rebounding the Wildcats 41-33. Their activity on the offensive glass was a deciding factor, as they turned 16 offensive rebounds into 15 second-chance points. Defensively, Colorado held Kansas State to just 32.7% shooting from the field, limiting them to only 16 made baskets the entire night.
Overcoming Late-Game Struggles
Execution in the fourth quarter has been a hurdle for Colorado this season, with late lapses leading to previous losses at Baylor and Oklahoma State. However, the Buffaloes flipped the script on Thursday, out-shooting Kansas State 42.9% to 33.3% in the final period.
“Our execution was really good, and this is a very unselfish group,” Payne noted. “We don’t necessarily rely on one 20-point scorer; instead, we have a roster full of players capable of scoring 10 or more. We love to share the ball and score in a variety of ways.”
The Buffaloes will look to build on this momentum as they continue their road trip with a matchup against Kansas this Sunday.
