Boulder – Defeating a ranked opponent would be a big step in coach Kathy McConnell-Miller’s plan to build the Colorado women’s basketball program.
The Buffaloes are getting closer.
Despite shooting just 40 percent from the field, Colorado led No. 14 Baylor midway through the second half Wednesday night and remained competitive before the Lady Bears prevailed 75-67 before 1,353 at the Coors Events Center.
Colorado (11-15, 5-9 Big 12) lost for the 22nd straight time to a ranked team. That dates back to a win over Baylor in 2004 – the year before the Lady Bears won the national championship.
“I think it would be huge (to beat a ranked team); you can make a name for yourself,” said CU junior forward Jackie McFarland, who scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. “I don’t know if it’s because those teams are more seasoned. … We kind of falter (down the stretch).”
A 3-pointer from the right wing by CU senior Jasmina Ilic put the Buffs up 53-52 with 11:16 remaining. But Baylor (24-4, 11-3) answered with an 8-1 run.
Colorado fell behind by 11 points, but a driving layup by Ilic with 54.8 seconds left pulled the Buffs back to within 71-65. Baylor free throws kept CU from getting closer.
“The only thing I’m disappointed in was the outcome,” McConnell-Miller said.
The CU coach can only wonder what might have happened if 6-foot-4 sophomore center Kara Richards had not fouled out with 6:09 to go. Richards scored 22 points, matching her season high, and grabbed 10 rebounds.
“I believe that when Kara gets the ball on the block, she can score on anyone in the country,” McConnell-Miller said.
Bernice Mosby, a 6-1 senior transfer from the University of Florida, led Baylor with 16 points and 11 rebounds but shot just six-for-19 from the field.
CU closes its home schedule Saturday night against Kansas.
BAYLOR (24-4, 11-3 BIG 12)
Allison 5-8 2-5 12, Mosby 6-19 4-4 16, Morrow 2-5 4-6 8, Player 3-5 0-0 6, Tisdale 5-11 4-6 18, Bradley 2-3 2-2 6, Wilson 2-2 1-1 5, Darrett 2-4 0-1 4. Totals 27-57 17-25 75.
COLORADO (11-15, 5-9)
Ilic 5-14 3-4 14, McFarland 5-10 10-13 20, Richards 10-15 2-4 22, Houston 0-1 1-2 1, Powers 1-4 0-0 3, Smith 0-6 0-0 0, Skildum 0-0 0-0 0, Nedovic 0-0 0-0 0, Rucker 1-5 3-4 5, Dow 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 22-55 21-29 67.
Halftime – Baylor 37-31. 3-point goals – Baylor 4-12 (Tisdale 4-9, Mosby 0-1, Morrow 0-1, Darrett 0-1), Colorado 2-13 (Powers 1-2, Ilic 1-6, McFarland 0-1, Smith 0-4). Fouled out – Allison, Bradley, Powers, Richards. Rebounds – Baylor 35 (Mosby 11), Colorado 35 (McFarland, Richards 10). Assists – Baylor 15 (Morrow 4), Colorado 16 (Ilic 5). Total fouls – Baylor 23, Colorado 25. A – 1,353.
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
