BOULDER — While downing accuracy-challenged Central Florida 86-59 on Sunday, Colorado showed signs of promise, mixed with a few concerns.
In other words, it was a typical season opener, the debut of the 35th season of intercollegiate women’s basketball at CU.
The Buffaloes unveiled a four-guard offense: freshman Alyssa Fressle, transfer point guard Kelly Jo Mullaney, hot-shooting Brittany Spears and versatile Bianca Smith, who heated up late.
Senior Kara Richards — a 6-foot-4 center bearing a heavier load since the graduation of Jackie McFarland, the second- leading scorer in CU history — made the most of limited shooting opportunities, going 5-for-6 from the field for 13 points with six rebounds, two blocked shots and zero turnovers.
“I think her consistency is going to be a major factor in the outcome of all of our games,” fourth-year coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said.
Spears did the exterior damage, draining six of her first seven attempts to give CU a quick 21-11 lead en route to her game-high 23 points.
“It felt good to play against some girls,” said Spears, reflecting on preseason scrimmages against male practice players.
The players from Central Florida, a 10-20 team in 2007-08, shot wildly, missing all seven of their 3-point attempts and finishing 34.3 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from the line.
The Knights did expose CU’s poor boxing-out tendencies while outrebounding CU 52-35, including 23 offensive rebounds.
“With a four-guard starting lineup, I know rebounding is going to be a key every night,” McConnell-Miller said.
Fressle, the newest backcourt addition, is a three-time Class 5A state champion from Highlands Ranch High School, who bucked the trend of recent prep superstars by staying in-state.
After admitting to being shaken up by early foul trouble, she exhibited a well-honed pull-up jumper and tenacious on-ball defense, particularly in the second half after McConnell-Miller changed her assignment.
“Probably the nerves were a little heightened, but that’s what you go through as a freshman,” said Fressle, who had 10 points and three steals in her debut.
Smith also grew stronger. After missing four treys and two layups, she swished a trio of second-half 3-pointers.
The Buffs return to action Wednesday at home against Colorado State (0-1).
UCF (0-1)
Cannon 8-15 3-6 19, Head 3-11 2-4 8, Daniels 3-6 0-0 6, Patrick 5-14 2-4 12, White 2-7 3-5 7, Stovall 0-1 0-0 0, Mealing 0-1 0-0 0, Kelly 1-2 0-0 2, Davis 0-0 0-0 0, Wiley 0-3 2-6 2, Caldwell 0-6 1-2 1, Paige 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 23-67 13-27 59.
COLORADO (1-0)
Spears 9-17 2-5 23, Richards 5-6 3-4 13, Fressle 4-10 2-5 10, Smith 6-13 1-1 16, Mullaney 0-4 2-2 2, Blythe 1-2 0-0 2, Skildum 3-8 3-4 9, Seabrook 1-2 3-5 5, Piterniece 0-0 0-0 0, Dunn 2-4 0-0 6. Totals 31-66 16-26 86.
Halftime — Colorado 41-28. 3-point goals —UCF 0-7 (Patrick 0-2, White 0-2, Daniels 0-1, Kelly 0-1, Caldwell 0-1), Colorado 8-20 (Spears 3-6, Smith 3-8, Dunn 2-3, Skildum 0-3). Fouled out —White. Rebounds — UCF 52 (Cannon 16), Colorado 35 (Spears 6, Richards 6, Smith 6). Assists — UCF 5 (Head 1, Patrick 1, White 1, Wiley 1, Paige 1), Colorado 10 (Skildum 3). Total fouls —UCF 27, Colorado 21. A — 1,231.
