The CU basketball teams didn’t take a break over Thanksgiving.
The women’s team won the 2010 Omni Hotels Classic, beating Evansville in the first round and Loyola University Chicago in the championship game. With the wins, Colorado improved to 5-1.
Senior forward Brittany Spears and sophomore guard Chucky Jeffery were unstoppable against Evansville in CU’s 55-53 win on Friday.
Spears earned her 25th career double-double raking in 19 points (12 in the first half alone) and 10 rebounds. Jeffery had a career night of her own making the game winning shot and bringing in 17 points, eight rebounds and six steals and assists.
Saturday night, the Buffaloes were even more dominant. The women defeated Loyola University Chicago 65-34.
Once again, Spears and Jeffery had all-star nights.
But the night was extra special for Jeffery. The sophomore out of Colorado Springs earned the second triple-double in CU women’s basketball history. Jeffery recorded 10 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in the win.
“I didn’t know it was just the second one,” Jeffery said in a news release. “I thought there were more before that, but that means a lot. I’m just going to keep going and hopefully get three, four, as many more of those that I can get.”
Sophomore guard/forward Meagan Malcolm-Peck earned her first career double-double during the game, making 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Three other players scored in the double digits, including Spears with 12, junior forward Julie Seabrook and senior guard Britney Blythe with 10 each.
Jeffery was the Omni Hotel Classic’s MVP and Spears was named to the All-Tournament team.
Unfortunately, the men didn’t have as pleasant of a vacation.
Colorado had a strong win on Nov. 23, defeating Alcorn State 91-51. However, the Buffs didn’t bring the same power against Harvard, falling 82-66 on Sunday.
The Buffaloes fall to 2-3 overall, 0-3 on the road.
“I see us as two totally different teams, home and road,” head coach Tad Boyle said in a news release. “I think to be a good road team you have to have pride, and you have to have toughness. It’s easy to play at home when your fans are cheering for you and things are going well. It doesn’t matter where you go on the road, it’s not going to be an easy environment to play in, and we’re not mentally tough enough yet to do that.”
Senior guard Cory Higgins scored 21 points. Sophomore guard Alec Burks continued his five game streak of 20-plus showings, adding 20 points of his own against Harvard.
Harvard’s shooting was far superior to the Buffs in the loss. The Crimson were a solid 51 percent from the field, compared to CU’s 38.8.
Both teams are back in action at the Coors Events Center. The men face Texas-Pan American on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The women continue their home stand against Texas State on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Marlee Horn at Marlee.horn@colorado.edu.
