Colorado Buffaloes Women’s Basketball Aims to End Road Struggles

The Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball team is facing challenges on the road, currently holding a 0-3 record in the Big 12 Conference away from Boulder. This season, the team is also 0-4 in true road games overall. Head Coach JR Payne has emphasized the critical need for improved execution to achieve success during these away games, especially following narrow defeats against strong opponents like Baylor and Oklahoma State. The Buffaloes will seek to turn their fortunes around when they face Central Florida on Sunday.

The Buffaloes have demonstrated their strength at home, boasting a 3-0 record in conference play at the CU Events Center. Their latest victory came against No. 19 Iowa State, where they secured an impressive upset win. However, the team has struggled significantly when playing on the road, having only won once in their last twelve conference road games since rejoining the Big 12 last year.

Payne noted, “It’s a huge priority and we feel like we were right there last weekend in both games.” In their match against No. 16 Baylor, the Buffaloes were competitive, trailing by only two points in the final moments before losing 56-52. The following week, they held a lead against Oklahoma State before succumbing to a 15-2 run, finishing with a 63-56 loss. Despite these setbacks, the close nature of these games has given the team confidence.

As they prepare for their upcoming game against Central Florida, the Buffaloes hope to capitalize on their recent performances. Their opponent has struggled as well, currently near the bottom of the Big 12 standings and coming off three consecutive home losses. “They just won at Arizona, which very few people do,” Payne acknowledged, indicating the unpredictability of the matchup.

The Knights feature standout guard Leah Harmon, who is averaging 17.2 points per game. Even though she had a quieter performance during a recent trip to Arizona, she previously scored 38 points against Kansas and 29 against Cincinnati. This highlights the offensive capabilities of Central Florida, presenting a challenge for the Buffaloes as they aim to bolster their defensive efforts.

Colorado’s recent history on the road has shown that they must focus on the details and maintain their execution throughout the entire game. “We need to be able to continue to focus on the details, and execute throughout the entire 40 minutes rather than just 35 minutes or so,” said Payne.

The Buffaloes are eager to keep their momentum going, having settled in well after the holiday break. They have played competitively in their last five games, and the win against Iowa State has reinvigorated their spirits. “Even last weekend, I thought we’re actually playing pretty well,” Payne remarked, adding that the team is starting to find its rhythm.

As the Buffaloes embark on their journey to Central Florida, this will mark their first-ever visit to the Knights’ home court. Colorado has previously faced UCF twice, winning both encounters, including a dominant 81-62 victory on January 8, 2025, in Boulder. The Buffaloes are determined to change their road record against a team that also seeks to improve its standing in the conference.

With the stakes high for both teams, the matchup promises to be an important test of resilience and skill. As they prepare for this challenge, the Colorado Buffaloes will aim to translate their home success into a much-needed road victory.