Colorado Opens Pac-12 With 62-55 Loss To Stanford

Colorado women's basketball fought No. 15 Stanford down to the wire in their Pac-12 opener, but in the end the Cardinal proved too much for the visiting Buffaloes and won 62-55.

CU was able to take a 43-42 lead with 10 minutes left in the second half through a 12-0 run.  But, on the next possession, Bonnie Sameulson hit a three to end the Buffs run.  Colorado trailed for the remainder of the game.

"We made that nice run, and I thought we had them a bit mentally. Then we let up, and we let up mentally," commented Coach Linda Lappe.

Stanford's Amber Orrange and Lili Thompson powered their team to victory.  And while Colorado had a solid defensive night, they could not stop Orrange from putting up a career-high 26 points. Thompson added 17 for the Cardinal.

"The most disappointing part about that game is that their two players (Orrange and Thompson) win the game for them. We've done that a little bit all year of letting other team's best players do what they do.  And when we do that it doesn't make for a very successful night," said Lappe.

The Buffaloes bothered Stanford with a full-court press, and big team plays kept them in the game.  Lexy Kresl returned from an injury to record eight points, six rebounds and five assists.

Jamee Swan provided energy for the Buffs off of the bench, and had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jen Reese also tacked on 10 points for the Buffs.

Colorado will play their second Pac-12 game at California on January 5.