Buffs Can't Solve K-State

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Jackie McFarland recorded her 42nd career double-double, in her home state, but Kansas State wasn't interested in the homecoming as the Wildcats remained perfect in the Big 12 with a 67-60 win Saturday night at Bramlage Coliseum.

Colorado dropped its third straight moving to 12-5 overall, 1-3 in league play. Kansas State wins its seventh straight overall improving to 12-5, 4-0.

McFarland scored 20 points to move into fourth place on CU's all-time scoring list (1,634) and grabbed 11 rebounds to become the third player in team history to reach 900 boards (908).

Kimberley Dietz led four Kansas State double-digit scorers with 18 points, hitting three 3-pointers. The Wildcats were sharp from the outside hitting 7-of-15 3-pointers in the game, and 4-of-6 in the second half.

Brittany Spears had 16 points and hit 2-of-6 from 3-point range. Overall the Buffs struggled from downtown hitting just 4-of-16 3-point attempts.

Spears hit three of her first four shots of the second half, including two straight 3-pointers as the Buffaloes led 43-41 at the 14:40 mark. Kansas State then took over hitting three straight 3-pointers, including two from Dietz, as the Wildcats embarked on a 21-4 run to pull away.

Aija Putnina had 12 points and seven rebounds. Courtney Dunn had six points and five rebounds off the bench. Shalee Lehning had 11 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for Kansas State.

Colorado held an early 12-6 lead, but Kansas State went on an 11-0 run to put the Wildcats up 17-12 with 10:16 left in the first half.

The Buffaloes battled back behind 13 first-half points from McFarland and her first of two 3-pointers in the game tied the score at 25 with 4:55 remaining. CU briefly took the lead back at 29-28 when Courtney Dunn scored on a put back. Kansas State responded and closed the half with a 3-pointer from Dietz to take a 35-31 halftime lead.

CU struggled from the outside early making just 1-of-11 from 3-point range in the first half. The Buffaloes were able to recover by dominating in the paint. Colorado held a 23-14 rebounding edge and had 10 second-chance points to just two for Kansas State.

Colorado returns home to host the University of Kansas on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Coors Events Center. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain.

NOTES:

Colorado falls to 12-16 in Manhattan, but still leads the overall series 31-29.

Senior Jackie McFarland has moved into fourth place on CU's all-time scoring list, passing Erin Scholz, who had 1,614 points from 1993-97, during tonight's game. McFarland finished with 20 points and now stands at 1,634 through 104 career games.

McFarland also became the third player in CU history to register 900 career rebounds (908) and she has moved into second on the Buffs' all-time list for free throws made with 473, passing Tera Bjorklund (2000-04) who had 472. McFarland needs 21  more free throws to catch Bridget Turner's (1985-89) school record of 494