Leonard’s 31 springs Colorado in crushing win over Colorado State

Boulder, CO — The No. 18 University of Colorado Buffaloes remain undefeated at 9-0 as it powered past its in-state rival the Colorado State Rams by a final score of 74-56. Colorado’s Kennedy Leonard rattled in 31 points—off a career-best seven three-pointers and then some—to help propel the Buffaloes to a 9-0 start to the year.

Colorado got off to a cold start in the first quarter as the Rams were able to jump out to a 6-0 lead. But as the game went on, both teams picked up the slack and kept the game neck and neck up until the fourth quarter when Colorado showed their dominance that ultimately sent the Rams packing with an 18-point loss.

The Rams, now sitting at 5-4, are used to getting a quick head start, which is exactly what happened at Coors Event Center this evening. The Buffaloes were not on their game, which is unlike them considering the competition they’re used to playing. It wasn’t until Leonard hit two from the line to put Colorado on the board.

For those that weren’t at Coors Event Center tonight, you probably would have thought that Leonard was the only Buffalo playing. Trailing Colorado State 7-5, Leonard was the only Buff to score at that point in the first quarter, but Alexis Robinson quickly stepped up for two and tied the game up 7-7.

However, Colorado State was on a roll of its own. With the score 25-21 with the Buffs on top at the end of the first quarter, the Rams still recorded one of the highest-scoring quarters of the 2016-17 season. Colorado State’s Ellen Gustavsson led the Rams with 10 of the teams 21 points in the first period.

And for the second quarter? It was not much different. Monica Burich kicked things off with a three to give Colorado a seven-point lead in the second quarter. The lead extended from seven...to nine...and then Colorado State made some moves.

The Rams began to close in on the Buffaloes’ lead and cut it down to as little as three points. However, whatever momentum they gained, they lost quickly as Colorado gave themselves a healthy lead going into the half, 43-36.

Leonard decided she still wasn’t done yet, and sank yet another three-pointer to open up the second half. At the third quarter media timeout, Colorado led Colorado State by 12 and Leonard led her team with an impressive 24 points. The Buffaloes closed out the third quarter, on top yet again, 57-45.

If anyone thought things would get better for the Rams from here, they would be mistaken. Leonard closed out the game with a career-high seven made three-pointers, and Colorado walked away with a win this time.

The Buffaloes will travel to Mississippi next to face Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 17 as they continue their undefeated season.