Buffs Use 15-0 Run To Scoot By Charlotte 78-65

BOULDER — Colorado broke open a close game with a 15-0 run in the first four minutes of the second half as the Buffaloes achieved a 78-65 win in the final game of the 2006 Coors Classic Saturday evening at the Coors Events/Conference Center.

For the second night in a row Colorado had four starters reach double figures, with freshman Aija Putnina and junior Jackie McFarland turning in back-to-back double-doubles.

Leading 35-34 at halftime, McFarland got the Buffaloes started with a pair of free throws. Senior Jasmina Ilic followed with a lay up off a pass from junior Susie Powers to put CU up 39-34.

Freshman point guard Whitney Houston then put the Buffaloes in a different gear, pushing the tempo and dishing out four of her career-high and team-season high six assists on four of the ensuing five trips down the floor. Putnina drained a pair of easy buckets off Houston passes and added a free throw for good measure. McFarland and Ilic then hit on consecutive lay ups to put CU up 50-34 with 16:28 remaining in the game.

Behind Charlotte center Danielle Burgin's 16 points, the 49ers cut the CU lead down to 69-63 with 3:36 left, but the Buffaloes hit 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch to keep Charlotte at bay.

McFarland was once again CU's high scorer, tallying 24 points with 10 rebounds. Putnina put in a career-best 14 points and added 11 rebounds. Both were named to the All-Tournament team along with Burgin, Nevada's Traci Graham and Wyoming's Hanna Zavecz.

Ilic ended with 14 points while Houston had 11. The Buffs shot 54 percent from the field (27-of-50) and out rebounded the 49ers 43-25.

Colorado shot very well in the first half connecting on 59.1 percent from the floor (13-of-22), but turnovers and missed free throws kept the Buffaloes from building a larger lead. The Buffs turned the ball over 12 times in the first 20 minutes and made just 8-of-12 from the foul line.

Burgin scored 10 first half points on 5-of-6 shooting, but overall as a team the 49ers struggled hitting just 39.4 percent (13-of-33). McFarland had nine points and seven rebounds in the first half as the Buffs entered the locker room with a 35-34 lead.

Colorado will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 29, hosting Colorado State University at 7 p.m. in the Coors Events/Conference Center.

Wyoming 80, Nevada 71

Hanna Zavecz scored 23 points and Justyna Podziemska recorded a double-double as the Cowgirls held off the Wolfpack in the third game of the Coors Classic.

Zavecz hit 15-of-19 from the foul line as the Cowgirls (5-1) set a Coors Classic record for free throws in one game with 32. Zavecz also had three rebounds and two blocks as she earned All-Tournament team honors.

Podziemska overcame a slow start to finish with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Dominique Sisk had 16 points including 10-of-12 from the foul line.

Nevada trailed 38-29 at halftime but started the second half on an 18-8 run to take a 47-46 lead with 13:07 remaining

Tied at 59-59 with 6:04 left, Wyoming went on a 10-1 run to put the game away. Zavecz made four free throws and Podziemska drilled a 3-pointer during the run.

Traci Graham and Dellena Criner each had 15 points to lead the Wolfpack. Graham was named to the All-Tournament team.

20th annual coors Classic

Friday, Nov. 24

Wyoming 77, Charlotte 55

Colorado 80, Nevada 60

Saturday, Nov. 25

Wyoming 80, Nevada 71

Colorado 78, Charlotte 65

All-Tournament Team

Traci Graham, 5-7, Sr., G, Nevada.

Hanna Zavecz, 6-0, Jr., F, Wyoming

Danielle Burgin, 6-5, So., F/C, Charlotte

Aija Putnina, 6-3, Fr., F, Colorado

Jackie McFarland, 6-3, Jr., F, Colorado

Overall Records

Wyoming          5-1

Colorado           4-2

Nevada             3-2

Charlotte          3-3