Colorado women’s basketball was no match for No. 6 Stanford (18-2, 7-1) on Sunday when the Cardinals cruised by the No. 20 Buffs 69-56. Jamee Swan led the Buffs with 14 points and 6 rebounds.
The Buffs (15-4, 4-4) were held to 36 percent shooting for the game and made only 3 of 18 three-pointers. These two teams were 1 and 2 in scoring defense in the Pac-12 coming into the game, but gave up more than their average. The Buffs average 52.7 points against them per game.
The Buffs’ four losses have all come against Stanford or No. 7 Cal. However, the Buffs’ strength of schedule will be good come tournament selection time. The latest Bracketology by Charlie Crème of ESPN has the Buffs as No. 5 seed in their bracket come March Madness.
Cardinals led by 11 at halftime and a 16-2 run at the beginning of the second half built them a big lead. Chiney Ogwumike had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead Stanford. The Buffs wouldn’t go away quietly, though, scoring 12 straight points to pull within nine with 10 minutes left to play.
It would have been a major upset if the Buffs would have found a way to beat the Cardinal on the road. The Buffs did upset No. 8 Louisville earlier in the season, but haven’t been able to get over the hump in conference play.
The Buffs’ strong schedule continues as they play No. 19 UCLA Friday in Los Angeles. The four games after that will get a little easier, with two home games and no games against ranked teams.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Scott Annis at Robert.annis@colorado.edu.
