Fast break Why the Buffs won: Their defense was solid throughout the day, holding Cincinnati to 38.9% shooting and forcing 18 turnovers, while the offense was efficient, hitting 44.1% from the floor with just 10 turnovers. Three stars: 1. CU’s Desiree Wooten: Scored a game-high 19 points, including 10-for-10 at the free throw line. She also had four rebounds. 2. CU’s Anaelle Dutat: Another strong game for the forward, who had 12 points and seven rebounds, along with two assists. 3. Cincinnati’s Caliyah DeVillasee: One of the Big 12’s top freshmen, she had 17 points and five assists. Up next: CU travels to Baylor for a Big 12 road game Thursday (6 p.m. MT, ESPN+). Colorado’s Anaelle Dutat drives against Cincinnati’s Reagan Jackson in Boulder, Colorado, on Jan.3, 2026. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer) A glance at the win-loss record before Saturday might have suggested Cincinnati would be an easier opponent for the Colorado women’s basketball team. The Buffs and head coach JR Payne knew better, though. Desiree Wooten scored 19 points to lead the Buffs to a 79-68 victory against Cincinnati at the CU Events Center in a game that wasn’t easy. “Man, that was a battle,” said Payne, whose team improved to 11-4 (2-1 Big 12). “I knew that if we brought our work hats and kind of knuckled up, it was going to be a really tough matchup because these are two very tough, physical, athletic teams. I’m actually really proud of both teams. I thought it was a…
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