Buffaloes Use Second Half To Blast Past USC, 65-49

Down by five points at halftime, Colorado outscored USC 39-18 in the second half to break their three game losing streak, defeating the Women of Troy 65-49.

"We challenged our team at halftime to come out of the locker room strong, to win the first four minutes, and set the tone for the rest of the game," head coach Linda Lappe told AM-760 after the game.

USC and Colorado traded blows for the majority of the first half. It looked like CU would take a lead into halftime, but a 13-3 USC run in the last 4:16 before the break had the Buffs down five going into the second half.

CU came out of the locker room a different team. The Women of Troy only managed to score two points in the first 8:13 of the second half. By that time, Colorado had turned the five point deficit into an eight point advantage, never looking back.

Colorado was strong on the defensive end all game, holding USC's all-Pac-12 first teamer Cassie Harberts to 12 points, over five below her season average. Ariya Crook, the Women of Troy's spark off the bench, was held to 4-of-15 shooting, as Brittany Wilson put the clamps on her former high school teammate.

Four Buffs finished in double figures, led by Arielle Roberson, who broke out of her slump to tally 16 points and six rebounds. Chucky Jeffery was her usual outstanding self, totaling 15 points and 10 boards for her 25^th career double-double. Wilson added 12 points for the Buffaloes, and Lexy Kresl found her stroke, finishing with 11 points.

The Buffs finally return home this weekend, facing Oregon State and Oregon.