Colorado Buffaloes Seek Road Victory Against Central Florida

The Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball team is aiming to break their road game struggles as they prepare to face Central Florida on January 14, 2026. The team currently holds a disappointing 0-3 record in conference road games and has not won any true road games this season. Head Coach JR Payne stresses the importance of improving execution to secure victories outside their home arena.

At home, the Buffaloes have been formidable, boasting a 3-0 record against conference opponents at the CU Events Center. This includes a significant upset against No. 19 Iowa State, which highlighted their competitive edge at home. In contrast, their away performances have left much to be desired, reflected in their overall 0-4 record in true road games this season.

The Buffaloes have faced tough competition in their recent road games, narrowly losing to No. 16 Baylor with a score of 56-52 and falling to Oklahoma State 63-56. In both instances, the team demonstrated resilience, staying close on the scoreboard until the very end. “It’s a huge priority, and we feel like we were right there last weekend in both games,” Coach Payne remarked, indicating a sense of optimism despite the losses.

Looking ahead to their matchup against Central Florida, Coach Payne recognizes the Knights’ potential as a challenging opponent, even though they currently sit near the bottom of the Big 12 standings. UCF has lost three consecutive games but recently secured an impressive win against Arizona. “We’re going to prepare for everybody exactly the same, but this is definitely an important game because they’ll be hungry and we’re hungry,” Payne said.

Central Florida’s standout player, Leah Harmon, presents a significant challenge for the Buffaloes. Harmon is averaging 17.2 points per game and has shown her scoring ability in recent outings. With both teams struggling offensively—Colorado ranks 13th and UCF 15th in scoring within the conference—the game promises to be a crucial test of skill and strategy.

The Buffaloes are looking to build on their recent performances, which have improved since returning from a holiday break. “Even last weekend, I thought we were actually playing pretty well,” Payne noted. “This past game certainly felt like we finally are all on the same page.”

As they embark on their journey to Central Florida, the Buffaloes will seek to overcome their road woes and capitalize on the momentum gained from their home victories. With a focused approach and strategic execution, they aim to enhance their standing within the Big 12 Conference and secure their first road win of the season.