Fast break
Why the Buffs won: CU took care of the ball and played exceptional defense down the stretch, and dominated the boards all night.
Three stars:
1. CU’s Anaelle Dutat: Scored a career-high 20 points, on 7-for-11 shooting from the floor and 6-for-7 from the free throw line. She also had six rebounds.
2. Arizona’s Noelani Cornfield: Had a career-high 25 points, along with eight assists and six steals.
3. CU’s Tabitha Betson: Had a season-high 15 points, along with five rebounds and four assists.
Up next: The Buffs host No. 20 Texas Tech at the CU Events Center on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN+).
TUCSON, Arizona – Colorado was on the verge of a crushing loss on Tuesday when head coach JR Payne called a timeout.
From that point, the Buffaloes looked like the surging team they’ve been in recent weeks.
Closing the game on a furious rally, the CU women’s basketball team knocked off Arizona 78-70 on Tuesday night at the McKale Center, winning for the seventh time in its last eight games.
CU (19-8, 10-5 Big 12) trailed 67-60 when Payne called a timeout with 5 minutes, 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Buffs outscored the Wildcats 18-3 the rest of the way.
“I told everyone, ‘Take a deep breath, and let’s make sure we take care of the ball and execute,’” Payne said of her message in that timeout. “And if we do those two things, we’re going to be okay.”
CU finished with a season-high 25 turnovers, but only two of those after that critical timeout. Anaelle Dutat scored seven of her career-high 20 points in the last 2:38 to lead the Buffs to their fourth consecutive road win.
Dutat finished with six rebounds go with her 20 points, while Tabitha Betson had 15 points, five rebounds and four assists. Betson and Dutat combined for 15 of CU’s 22 fourth-quarter points.
“Both fantastic,” Payne said. “Obviously AD, I don’t know how many points she scored in the fourth quarter or even the last five minutes, but it was pretty phenomenal. Her rebounding effort was great as always. … Tabitha, big plays, big rebounds, big assists.
“I thought both of those guys were critical.”
At No. 46 in the NET rankings and sitting on the NCAA Tournament bubble, CU couldn’t afford a loss to Arizona, which is No. 127 in the NET. The Wildcats nearly spoiled the night for the Buffs, though, behind a career-high 25 points – as well as eight assists and six steals – from Noelani Cornfield.
“What an incredibly resilient, well-coached, hard-nosed team,” Payne said of Arizona. “I thought that was a great battle. I think that type of battle shows you how great the Big 12 conference is. I’m proud of our conference, proud of how well teams are competing down the stretch. But man, that was not the prettiest game.”
Colorado’s Zyanna Walker, right, looks for room to drive against Arizona at McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona, on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (CU Athletics)CU led by seven in the first quarter, but 15 first half turnovers led to 22 Arizona points, cutting the Buffs’ lead to 36-35 at the break. Arizona led 57-56 after Cornfield hit a 3-pointer at the third quarter buzzer and then opened the fourth on a 10-4 run.
The Buffs rallied from there, despite losing star Jade Masogayo, who fouled out with 7:20 to play.
“I thought our execution was really good (down the stretch),” Payne said. “We ran a few different things. I thought we took care of the ball, finally, a little bit better in the last few minutes of the game and we just sort of — I don’t know — just picked up our pace. It kind of felt like we were sleepwalking for the first 35 minutes, which of course you can’t do against such a good, tough team. So, proud of how we responded the last five minutes.”
Notable
This is first time since the 2012-13 season that CU has won four consecutive conference road games. … CU out-rebounded the Wildcats 37-17. Arizona’s rebounding total was the lowest-ever by a CU opponent. The previous low was 18. … CU is plus-44 in rebounding in its last two games. … Arizona finished with 31 points off of CU’s 25 turnovers. … Zyanna Walker nearly had a double-double for CU, with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Colorado 78, Arizona 70
COLORADO (19-8, 10-5 Big 12)
Walker 6-8 1-4 13, McErlane 1-1 1-1 3, Masogayo 3-7 2-2 8, Dutat 7-11 6-7 20, Betson 6-8 2-2 15, Gooden 0-1 0-0 0, Wooten 4-8 1-2 10, Crook 1-2 1-1 3, Greer 2-9 1-1 6. Totals 30-55 15-20 78.
ARIZONA (11-15, 2-13 Big 12)
Sugapong 5-8 0-0 14, Ladwig 4-7 0-0 9, Jurado 2-3 0-1 4, Welch 1-5 5-6 7, Trammell 3-9 1-2 7, Cornfield 9-18 5-6 25, Francois 1-2 2-3 4. Totals 25-52 13-18 70.
Colorado 23 13 20 22 – 78
Arizona 19 16 22 13 – 70
3-point goals – Colorado 3-9 (Greer 1-4, Wooten 1-2, Betson 1-1, Walker 0-1, Gooden 0-1), Arizona 7-14 (Sugapong 4-6, Cornfield 2-3, Ladwig 1-2, Welch 0-2, Jurado 0-1). Rebounds – Colorado 37 (Walker 9), Arizona 17 (Welch 5). Assists – Colorado 15 (Betson 4), Arizona 12 (Cornfield 8). Steals – Colorado 7 (Walker, Masogayo, Dutat 2), Arizona 12 (Cornfield 6). Turnovers – Colorado 25, Arizona 17. Total fouls – Colorado 17, Arizona 21. Technicals – Sugapong. Fouled out – Masogayo, Sugapong. Attendance – 5,393.
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