BOULDER — Colorado senior forward Brittany Spears tied a school record Wednesday night by making her 112th consecutive start. This game probably won’t find a place in her scrapbook however.
Another Brittany, Kansas State sophomore guard Brittany Chambers, stole the show by scoring 16 of her game-best 20 points in the second half to lead the Wildcats to a 72-59 victory at the Coors Events Center.
Colorado was hoping to match last year’s total of three conference wins, but the Buffaloes (11-8, 2-4 Big 12) went cold after a one-handed driving layup by Spears put the home team up 45-44 with 9:11 to go.
“We just lost focus after we caught up,” said Spears, who finished with 13 points, five below her season average.
Kansas State (13-6, 4-2) won for the third straight time in Boulder and took a 34-33 overall advantage in a series that will be remembered for its close, competitive games.
“We’re disappointed,” CU first-year coach Linda Lappe said. “This was one we thought we could have. We let it slip.”
Trailing 30-23 at halftime, CU finally pulled even with 13:02 to go when senior guard Britney Blythe swished a 3-pointer from the left corner to make it 39-39. But Kansas State players maintained their composure, worked for open shots and regained control with an 8-0 run.
“It’s frustrating,” said Chucky Jeffery, who led CU with 19 points. “After we got up, we lost focus again. We have to be aggressive all through the game.”
KANSAS STATE (14-5, 4-2 BIG 12)
Karr 4-13 3-3 13, Childs 7-15 3-5 17, Chambers 7-12 5-7 20, Caron 0-3 0-0 0, White 2-3 0-0 4, Hill 4-6 1-2 12, Voronenko 1-2 0-0 2, Brown 2-2 0-2 4. Totals 27-56 12-19 72.
COLORADO (11-8, 2-4)
Seabrook 0-3 0-0 0, Spears 4-10 3-4 13, Blythe 3-6 0-0 9, B.Wilson 2-9 0-0 4, Dale 3-5 0-0 7, Malcolm-Peck 1-6 0-0 3, Jeffery 8-11 2-5 19, Hargis 1-2 2-2 4. Totals 22-52 7-11 59.
Halftime — KSU 30-23. 3-point goals — KSU 6-18 (Hill 3-5, Karr 2-9, Chambers 1-4), CU 8-16 (Blythe 3-5, Spears 2-4, Jeffery 1-1, Malcolm-Peck 1-2, Dale 1-2, B.Wilson 0-1, Seabrook 0-1). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — KSU 33 (Brown 11), CU 33 (Seabrook 8). Assists — KSU 12 (Childs, Chambers, White, Voronenko, Brown 2), CU 11 (Blythe, Jeffery 4). Total fouls — KSU 12, CU 17. A — 1,272.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
