Buffs Run To 92-65 Win Over Bears

BOULDER - Jackie McFarland had a game-high 29 points and Jasmina Ilic had 17 points and a career-high seven assists to lead Colorado to a 92-65 non-conference win over Northern Colorado Monday night at the Coors Events/Conference Center.

CU snaps an overall three game losing streak and a four-game skid at the CECC to improve to 8-17 overall. UNC falls to 12-11.

Just about everything went right for the Buffaloes in the first 20 minutes. CU hit a season high 67.7 percent from the field in the first half (21-of-31), building a 53-29 lead. The 6-foot-3 McFarland and 6-4 Anna Nedovic took advantage of their height advantage down low ? UNC's tallest starter was 6-1 center Danielle Hagen -- connecting on 11-of-14 from the field for 25 points in the period.

It wasn't just the duo on the blocks doing the damage. Ilic was 4-of-8 from the field with three 3-point field goals to finish the half with 11 points and six assists. Ilic, whose previous career high in assists was four in a game against Manhattan last season, had five in the first eight minutes of the half.

The Buffaloes offense moved around as well as it has all season. Nine different CU players had assists in the first half and the Buffs' total of 17 in the first 20 minutes was just one off the school record of 18 set against Sam Houston State on Dec. 14, 2000. Colorado ended the game with 24 assists.

"We had great team chemistry," CU head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said. "Jasmina got us into a rhythm we have not been in for a long time, and that opened up post play."

Colorado controlled the defensive side as well. Northern Colorado shot just 31.3 percent (10-of-31) in the half and the Buffs held a 24-10 rebounding edge. CU continued the dominate the boards into the second half, coming away with a  53-22 advantage, its largest margin in a game this season.

"We felt like today's game was important to us," McConnell-Miller said. "It was a very impressive non-conference win. I felt like we have played better with each Big 12 game. This game really showed how far we have come. Excellent individual performances, but I'm really pleased with how the team played as a whole."

McFarland added 13 rebounds to her totals for her 12th double-double of the season. Her 12 double-doubles tie Erin Scholz (1995-96) for the fourth best single-season mark in team history.

In all four players scored in double-digits for the Buffaloes who finished the game at 58.6 percent from the. Nedovic  finished with 15 points, her first double-digit performance since a season-high 25 against Northern Arizona on Dec. 19. She hit 7-of-9 from the floor and grabbed 13 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.

Senior Whitney Law had 15 points on a perfect night from the field. Law hit 4-of-4 field goals ? three of which were 3-pointers ? and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.

Heather Barbour led Northern Colorado with 13 points. Jabrenta Hubbard pitched in 12.

            Colorado which has its Big 12 bye this week will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 18, against Missouri at 7 p.m. at the CECC.

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