Buffaloes Build Lead Then Hold on for 73-62 Victory vs Regis

BOULDER - A strong second half start allowed Colorado to claim a 73-62 victory over the Regis Rangers in an exhibition game before 1,068 fans at the Coors Events Center, Friday.

Sophomore Jackie McFarland recorded a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds.  The Buffs also got 20 point contributions from sophomore Kara Richards (20) and junior Jasmina Ilic (22).

"I think we definitely had a size advantage. I always know that if I give Kara the ball that she will score. It's hard to not give her the ball when she's down low," guard Whitney Law said.

A slow and steady Ranger second half comeback pulled them to within seven points with 3:43 remaining.  Although the visitors never got closer it prevented a Colorado runaway victory.

"We improved in a lot of areas," CU head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said. "Tonight we stepped on the floor with the idea that we were going to compete on every possession.  From last week to this week we improved on rebounding.  We emphasized the point to them all week. We also shot the ball better and executed better. There were times I thought it looked great and times I wondered what was going on."

The game was marred by 49 personal fouls, 26 called on Regis and 23 on the Buffaloes.

Ilic came out of the halftime break and scored nine of the Buffs 14 points in the first five minutes as Colorado doubled their lead in that time.

Colorado trailed for most of the first half but the insertion of Richards seemed to inspire the Buffs.  The home team then went on a 32-17 run to close out the first half behind 13 from the Graham, Texas, native to take a 35-25 lead into the locker room.

The Buffaloes will next be in action again when they begin their regular season on Friday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. against the Cal-State Fullerton Titans at the Coors Events Conference Center.