Contact CU Independent Sports Writer Olivia Butrymovich at olbu3713@colorado.edu.
The University of Colorado women’s basketball team suffered another loss this weekend after being taken down 59-42 by the Long Beach State 49ers.
The Buffs lost the game by 17 points after being outscored in the first, second and fourth quarters.
Colorado has now lost its last three matches. Sunday’s loss gives the Buffs a 3-4 record so far this season, putting them in last place in the Pac-12 for the non-conference portion of their season.
The Buffs’ top scorer of the night was junior forward Lauren Huggins, who recorded 11 points during her 34 minutes of play. The three point specialist shot only 18.75 percent from the deep court. Meanwhile, freshman guard Alexis Robinson, with her first career start, led the team in both rebounds and assists with nine and five respectively. Robinson, during her 31 minutes on the court, also had one block on the night and added five points to the Buffs’ score.
Colorado kept it close in the first quarter of play. The Buffs recorded 11 points during the quarter and trailed the 49ers by one leading into the next ten minutes of play. The first quarter contained aggressive play from the Buffs, who quickly sent freshman forward Zoe Beard-Fails to the bench after she put up two fouls early in the game.
The 49ers took a more commanding lead over the game entering the half. LBS added 18 points leading CU to trail 21-30 after the first two quarters of play.
Long Beach State recorded a 44.4 percent from the field, outdoing the Buffs’ 38.1 percent. The Buffs’ first half was riddled with errors including 13 turnovers to the 49ers five. CU relinquished the ball to the 49ers over a dozen times after recording 13 fouls. Long Beach State only handed the Buffs’ five.
The third quarter was a much slower pace of play for both teams. Each only recorded nine points during the quarter. The Buffs didn’t add to their 21 points until half way through the third.
The fourth quarter belonged solely to the 49ers, who outscored the Buffs 12-20. Junior guard Haley Smith entered the game once again after approaching foul trouble during the third when she recorded her fourth.
The height of the Buffaloes didn’t stand against Long Beach State’s quick moving offense. Junior forward Jewelyn Sawyer of the 49ers recorded 15 points, and her teammate junior guard Raven Benton added 13 points to their win. CU rounded out their night with a dismal 28.6 percent on field goals.
The Buffs edged out the 49ers on total rebounds, assists and blocks with 40, 11 and five. Despite the effort, the Buffs were unable to overtake LBS after committing 22 turnovers and 25 fouls.
The 49ers were 13-26 from the line after both teams received bonuses in the fourth.
It was a rather quiet night for senior forward Jamee Swan, who saw only 20 minutes of play, had only five points and recorded four personal fouls.
The Buffaloes will be back in Boulder on Wednesday to take on the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST.
