UPDATE: In a gripping NCAA women’s basketball showdown, the Colorado Buffaloes faced a heartbreaking 74-68 defeat against No. 22 Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 12, 2025. The Buffs struggled in the fourth quarter, ultimately falling short despite leading for most of the game.
The momentum shifted dramatically as Colorado’s cold shooting—going just 2-for-15 from the floor—paired with five critical turnovers, proved devastating in the final moments. CU led for over 25 minutes of the game, yet their inability to maintain offensive pressure down the stretch cost them dearly.
Three standout players emerged amidst the tension:
- Zyanna Walker, who scored a career-high 19 points and added seven rebounds and four assists, was a force off the bench. “I wanted to go back and beat my old coach,” Walker reflected emotionally, acknowledging her ties to Louisville.
- Skylar Jones from Louisville led the Cardinals with 21 points, showcasing her skills as a transfer from Arizona.
- Anaelle Dutat recorded her second consecutive double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out.
Head Coach JR Payne expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, “I’m really proud of a lot of things that we did tonight… lots of things to build on in an early season.” The Buffs displayed resilience, overcoming an 11-point deficit early in the game and regaining the lead multiple times.
The game saw intense back-and-forth action, with Colorado initially jumping out to a 21-10 lead, only to be matched by Louisville’s 14-2 run. Despite the setbacks in the fourth quarter, CU managed to narrow the gap to 70-68 with just 17.1 seconds left, but Louisville’s free throws sealed the victory.
Next, the Buffs are set to host Portland State on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the CU Events Center, looking to bounce back from this tough loss and build on the confidence gained from their performance against Louisville.
This match-up has significant implications for both teams early in the season. Colorado’s young roster, featuring 10 new players, continues to adapt and grow, while Louisville aims to solidify its ranking in the NCAA standings. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Buffs regroup in their next contest.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Colorado Buffaloes as they strive to turn potential into performance. Stay tuned for updates and further developments!
