The first time she checked into a game this season, on Dec. 14 against Miami (Ohio), Colorado’s Tabitha Betson had to shake off some rust.
After all, she had gone back to her native Australia over the summer and didn’t return to CU until last month. After several months away from the game, she was cleared to practice on Dec. 13 and found herself in uniform the next day.
“I said, ‘We’ll just see how it goes,’” CU head coach JR Payne said of Betson’s debut.
It was a quiet seven minutes of action for Betson that day, but she’s now becoming a key part of the rotation for the Buffs (11-4, 2-1 Big 12), who visit No. 16 Baylor on Thursday.
“I definitely think that as each game has passed, I’ve felt a bit better,” said Betson, a 6-foot-2 sophomore forward. “I’ve gotten to know my teammates more, learned how to play with them, and also figured out what this team needs from me.”
Betson was a freshman with the Buffs a year ago, averaging 5.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per contest. She was heavily involved in helping Payne and the staff recruit the players that are on the team this year, but felt homesick in the summer and returned to Australia.
Missing the game, Betson worked out a plan with Payne to rejoin the Buffs, which she did a few weeks ago.
“I think she’s doing great,” Payne said. “I think she and all of us have done a great job of easing her into everything. We knew from a cerebral standpoint she would understand everything we’re doing, so we knew that would be easy. Itap just a matter of getting your body used to doing all the things again. But itap really like riding a bike; when you’re young enough that your body can still do it, it all just comes back.”
In her first three games back, Betson scored just three points (on a 3-pointer at Arizona State on Dec. 21), shooting 1-for-10 overall. In her last two games, she’s averaged 7.5 points on 5-for-10 shooting. She’s also averaging 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in her 13.8 minutes per game.
While she knew the players on the team, Betson said it took a bit of time to get used to playing with them.
“I was a little nervous about it, coming back, considering I hadn’t been here for months,” she said. “Inserting yourself can sometimes be a little awkward, but everyone’s just been so excited to play with me and I’m really excited to learn how to play with them. We have a super young group, so everyone’s really willing to learn from each other. Itap been good, itap been exciting.”
A vocal player, Betson said she was hesitant at first to speak up considering she just rejoined the team, but Payne urged her to use her voice because she knows the Buffs’ scheme as well as anyone.
“You kind of have to prove yourself a little bit,” Betson said. “You have to earn trust and respect. Thatap harder, obviously, having missed time, but I feel like everyone’s been super receptive of me. Being able to do that in practice is the biggest thing — trying to show up and be consistent in every way that I can.”
Payne said as soon as Betson got on the court last month, “She was still Tabitha. She could shoot, make good decisions in ball screens, and communicate her way through things. … She’s just getting more and more comfortable and back in the swing of things.”
Payne expects Betson to make a bigger impact throughout Big 12 play. Betson’s size and strong basketball IQ will be assets, Payne said.
CU will need that against Baylor, but Payne has, in general, been pleased with the overall effort of the team, which takes a two-game winning streak to Waco, Texas.
“I think the last few games I’ve noticed a big difference in our execution of game plan,” Payne said. “I’ve noticed a higher level of execution lately. … If we can really lock into doing our job and executing the game plan (against Baylor), itap going to be a great matchup.”
CU Buffs women’s basketball at No. 16 Baylor
TIPOFF: Thursday, 6 p.m. MT, Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas
TV/RADIO: ESPN+/KHOW 630 AM
RECORDS: Colorado 11-4, 2-1 Big 12; Baylor 13-3, 2-1 Big 12
COACHES: Colorado — JR Payne, 10th season (175-120; 276-233 career). Baylor — Nicki Collen, 5th season (115-39)
KEY PLAYERS: Colorado — C Jade Crook, 6-4, Fr. (4.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg); F Anaelle Dutat, 6-0, Sr. (10.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.1 spg, .550 fg%); F Logyn Greer, 6-4, Fr. (10.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg); F Jade Masogayo, 6-3, Sr. (10.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, .519 fg%); G Zyanna Walker, 5-11, Jr. (10.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.3 spg); G Desiree Wooten, 5-8, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.5 spg). Baylor — G Yuting Deng, 6-2, So. (8.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, .505 fg%); G/F Bella Fontleroy, 6-0, Sr. (9.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.8 spg); F Kiersten Johnson, 6-4, Sr. (5.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, .535 fg%); G/F Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, 6-1, Sr. (10.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg); G Taliah Scott, 5-9, So. (21.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.1 apg); G Jana Van Gytenbeek, 5-7, Sr. (7.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 6.8 apg).
NOTES: CU is 0-2 on the road this season, while Baylor is 8-1 at home. … The Buffs are 1-9 in Big 12 road games since rejoining the conference in 2024. … This is CU’s second game of the season against an Associated Press ranked opponent. The Buffs lost at then-No. 22 Louisville, 74-68, on Nov. 12. … The Buffs have defeated at least one top 25 opponent in six straight seasons. … The Buffs have lost 64 consecutive conference road games against AP Top 25 opponents, since a win at Baylor on Jan. 7, 2004. … Dutat is third in the Big 12 in overall rebounds (8.4 per game) and leads the conference in offensive rebounds (3.7 per game). She has had at least seven rebounds in 12 of 15 games. … CU is 12th in the Big 12 in scoring (70.9 points per game), while Baylor is eighth (74.2). … Scott is second in the Big 12 in scoring and leads the conference in free throw percentage (.913). Littlepage-Buggs leads the conference in rebounding and Van Gytenbeek is fourth in assists. … Van Gytenbeek is a sixth-year senior from Cherry Creek High School who began her collegiate career with two seasons at Stanford.
