HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Colorado Buffaloes built a commanding early lead and withstood a late surge from the Houston Cougars to secure a 73-63 victory in a Big 12 Conference women’s basketball game Wednesday night at Hofheinz Pavilion.

The most important part of the game was Colorado’s dominant first-half performance, which established a margin that proved insurmountable for Houston despite a spirited fourth-quarter comeback attempt. The Buffaloes, now 17-8 overall, held the Cougars to just nine points in the opening quarter and led 32-23 at halftime. That early cushion was critical as Houston, which fell to 7-17, outscored Colorado 24-21 in the final period but never drew closer than seven points in the game’s closing minutes.

Colorado’s success was rooted in overwhelming interior dominance. The Buffaloes scored 60 points in the paint, more than doubling Houston’s total of 22. This inside attack was led by forward Jade Masogayo, who scored a game-high 20 points on efficient shooting from close range. Her presence, alongside contributions from Anaëlle Dutat with 12 points and Logyn Greer with 11, allowed Colorado to overcome a dismal 1-for-10 shooting performance from three-point range.

Houston, conversely, relied on perimeter scoring but could not find consistent success, finishing 6 of 20 from beyond the arc. Guard Briana Peguero led the Cougars with 21 points, including five three-pointers, while Kierra Merchant added 13 points. The Cougars were hampered by 21 turnovers, which Colorado converted into 22 points.

The Buffaloes controlled the game’s tempo and flow from the outset. After Houston’s Jorynn Ross opened the scoring with a layup, Colorado responded with a 14-2 run over the next six minutes, fueled by layups from Desiree Wooten, Jade Crook, and Masogayo. Colorado’s defense was stifling early, forcing eight Houston turnovers in the first quarter and limiting the Cougars to 4-of-14 shooting.

Houston showed signs of life in the second quarter behind Peguero, who hit two three-pointers. However, Colorado answered every mini-run, maintaining a lead that fluctuated between nine and 13 points for most of the half. The Buffaloes’ ability to score inside at will, evidenced by Greer’s layup just before halftime to make it 32-23, kept Houston at arm’s length.

The third quarter saw Colorado extend its lead. A 7-0 run early in the period, capped by a Masogayo layup off an assist from Maeve McErlane, pushed the advantage to 41-28. The Buffaloes led by as many as 16 and entered the fourth quarter ahead 52-39.

The final period provided the game’s only sustained drama. Houston, led by Peguero and Amirah Abdur-Rahim, who finished with nine points and three blocks, mounted a final push. A three-pointer from Peguero with 4:57 remaining cut Colorado’s lead to 50-45, marking the closest the Cougars had been since the first quarter. The home crowd sensed a potential upset.

Colorado, however, demonstrated the poise of a team with a winning record against a struggling opponent. On the ensuing possession, Masogayo was fouled on a made turnaround jumper and converted the free throw to complete a three-point play, halting Houston’s momentum. After a TK Pitts jumper for Houston, Masogayo scored again inside, and Wooten added a layup to push the lead back to 59-52 with 2:49 left.

Houston would get no closer than seven points again. Colorado sealed the game at the free-throw line, with Masogayo and Zyanna Walker making key shots in the final minute. A final Masogayo layup with eight seconds remaining provided the final margin.

Statistically, the game was a contrast in styles. Colorado attempted 12 more field goals than Houston, a result of winning the possession battle through offensive rebounds and forced turnovers. While both teams had nearly identical numbers in assists, steals, and blocks, Colorado’s decisive advantages in points in the paint and points off turnovers told the story of a game won with physicality and defensive pressure in the opening stages.

The victory keeps Colorado above .500 in conference play as they head into a Saturday matchup against BYU. Houston, still seeking consistency, faces a difficult road test at Kansas on Saturday. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Colorado was projected with a 91 percent probability to win, a forecast validated by their early execution and ability to counter Houston’s lone serious challenge in the fourth quarter. The attendance was 976.