Buffs Win Big 12 Opener

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Reigning Big 12 Conference Rookie of the Week Brittany Spears had a career-high 24 points to help No. 23 Colorado open the league season in style with a 70-58 decision over Missouri Wednesday evening at Mizzou Arena.

        Colorado, which claimed its first win in a Big 12 road opener since winning at Baylor in 2004, registered its 11th straight win and improves to 12-2 overall. Missouri drops to 7-7, 0-1.

        Spears was 9-of-13 from the floor and added seven rebounds and two assists. She teamed with Bianca Smith for six second-half 3-pointers to allow the Buffaloes to build a lead as large as 21 late in the second half before the Tigers closed the gap late.

        Colorado led by as much as nine late in the first half, but Missouri went on a 13-0 run to take a 32-28 lead with 18:17 remaining in the contest. But Smith and Spears hit five 3-pointers over the next eight minutes to spark a 27-6 CU run.

        Smith finished with 14 points which included 4 3-point field goals as she moved into 11th place on CU's all-time list for 3-pointers with 68.  

        Aija Putnina registered a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Jackie McFarland had 17 points and five rebounds.

        Colorado returns home to host Iowa State on Sunday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Coors Events Center.