Wyoming Trips Up Colorado 66-50
BOULDER-Jackie McFarland recorded her second double-double in as many games, but Colorado could not repeat its first-game performance as Wyoming took a 66-50 decision over the Buffaloes on Monday night at the Coors Events Conference Center.
McFarland had a game-high 28 points on 13-of-20 from the field and added 11 rebounds. She had 34 points and 15 rebounds in CU's 100-71 season-opening win against Cal State-Fullerton on Nov. 18.
Four Cowgirls registered double digits, led by Jodi Bolerjack's 16 points. Wyoming (2-0), which last won in Boulder on Feb. 20, 1976, held a 41-35 edge on the boards, paced by Erin Hicks' 12 rebounds.
Yari Escalera added 12 points for Colorado (1-1), hitting 3-of-4 from the 3-point arc. Junior Jasmina Ilic, who had 34 points in the win over Cal State-Fullerton, was held to just one free throw, missing all 13 attempts from the floor.
Colorado found itself in a big hole early as Wyoming held a 17-4 lead just 6:30 into the first half. McFarland scored 14 of the Buffs' first 18 points as the lead was cut to seven (25-18) with 6:08 remaining in the half.
Escalera then found her groove scoring nine of her 12 points in a two-minute span at the end of the half. She hit two 3-pointers, the second one giving the Buffaloes a 29-28 lead with 1:58 remaining in the half. Wyoming came right back and scored a quick bucket by Rebecca Vanderjagt as the Cowgirls took a 32-30 lead into the locker room.
"Coach (Kathy) McConnell-Miller took me out of the game as I was not playing any help defense," Escalera said. "I tried to get my mind on the court, and I came back and did my best to help the team."
Escalera's final points, 1:11 into the second half, gave CU a 35-32 lead but the Cowgirls would go on a 10-2 run and would hold the lead for the rest of the game.
"I thought we pressed too hard most of the game, but there was about a ten minute stretch where we played well," McConnell-Miller said. "Give credit to Wyoming, they had a game plan that was very successful."
The Buffaloes will be back in action Friday, Nov. 25, in the first round of the 19th Annual Coors Classic as they take on Northern Iowa at 8:30 p.m. (MST). The first game of the doubleheader will be played at 6:30 p.m. and will feature Illinois and Utah State.