BOULDER — Sometimes motivation becomes most effective when it gets personal.
Colorado’s Bianca Smith couldn’t have picked a better time to tie a school record with seven 3-pointers. Her career-best 26 points Saturday night sparked a 67-52 victory over a Texas women’s basketball program that she cheered for as a kid.
But the Longhorns never offered a scholarship to Smith, who was born and raised in the Houston area. More important, CU had never defeated Texas since the third-year sophomore arrived in Boulder in 2005.
Colorado (14-11, 3-9 Big 12) snapped a six-game losing streak.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Smith said. “To tie a school record . . . it’s a lot more special to win.”
The trapping defense of Texas (16-9, 4-7) forced Colorado into 22 turnovers in one of the most physical games of the season. But the Buffaloes won the rebounding battle 50-29.
Sophomore forward Aija Putnina recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds to help compensate for off-nights on the offensive end by Jackie McFarland (10 points) and Brittany Spears (three points).
“With the officials letting things go, that really helped Aija,” CU coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said.
The Buffs converted all 13 of their free-throw attempts during the final three minutes.
“This loss was inexcusable; Colorado played with more passion and more purpose,” first-year Texas coach Gail Goestenkors said.TEXAS (16-9, 4-7 Big 12)
Williams 3-8 0-0 6, Lindsey 4-9 3-4 11, Cortijo 4-10 4-6 12, Raven 5-11 6-8 16, Bailey 2-6 0-0 4, Nash 0-4 0-0 0, Hughes 0-0 0-0 0, Boyd 1-6 0-0 3, Cook 0-0 0-0 0, Rentschler 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-54 13-18 52.
COLORADO (14-11, 3-9)
Spears 1-6 0-0 3, Putnina 5-13 4-6 14, McFarland 2-6 6-7 10, Smith 7-17 5-5 26, Powers 0-2 0-0 0, Houston 1-5 4-5 7, Skildum 0-1 1-2 1, Dow 1-1 0-0 2, Richards 1-4 2-4 4. Totals 18-55 22-29 67.
Halftime — Colorado 34-29. 3-point goals — Texas 1-15 (Boyd 1-5, Williams 0-1, Bailey 0-1, Cortijo 0-2, Raven 0-2, Nash 0-4), Colorado 9-25 (Smith 7-14, Houston 1-3, Spears 1-5, Putnina 0-1, Powers 0-2). Fouled out — Lindsey. Rebounds — Texas 29 (Nash 8), Colorado 50 (Putnina 15). Assists — Texas 9 (Cortijo 4), Colorado 14 (Putnina, Houston 3). Total fouls — Texas 24, Colorado 16. A — 3,891.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
