CU Buffs Women’s Basketball Falls to No. 22 Louisville, 74-68

UPDATE: The Colorado women’s basketball team faced a tough challenge on November 12, 2025, falling to the No. 22 ranked Louisville Cardinals with a score of 74-68 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Despite leading for over 25 minutes, the Buffs struggled in the fourth quarter, ultimately sealing their defeat.

In a dramatic finish, the Buffs shot just 2-for-15 from the floor in the final quarter and committed five critical turnovers. This collapse allowed Louisville to capitalize and secure the victory, leaving Colorado with a record of 1-1.

“I’m really proud of a lot of things that we did tonight,” said CU head coach JR Payne, reflecting on the team’s effort despite the disappointment. “There are lots of things to build on early in the season.”

Leading the charge for Colorado was Zyanna Walker, who notched a career-high 19 points, along with seven rebounds and four assists. Walker, a former Louisville player, expressed the emotional weight of the matchup, stating, “Of course, I wanted to go back and beat my old coach. But, we showed good things out there, and so we are holding our heads up high.”

Also shining for the Buffs, Anaelle Dutat recorded her second consecutive double-double, contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out in the game’s closing moments. Logyn Greer added 13 points to the scoreboard, but the team’s late-game shooting woes proved too costly.

Colorado initially surged ahead with an 11-point lead in the first quarter, driven by Walker’s early scoring. However, Louisville responded with a 14-2 run, showcasing their resilience and defensive prowess. Despite moments of strong play, including a 13-6 run to close the third quarter, the Buffs ultimately could not maintain their momentum.

With the clock winding down, Colorado narrowed the gap to 70-68 with only 17.1 seconds left following a layup from Walker. However, Louisville’s ability to convert at the free-throw line sealed the win, leaving the Buffs with valuable lessons as they move forward.

The Buffs now turn their attention to their next matchup, hosting Portland State on Sunday, November 15, 2025, at 1 p.m. (ET) at the CU Events Center. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+, offering a chance for Colorado to bounce back and improve their record.

As the season progresses, the Buffs remain optimistic about their growth potential, bolstered by the contributions of their young roster. “These are huge growth opportunities, and we’re going to lean into that growth and be even better next time out,” Payne concluded.