HOUSTON – The Colorado Buffaloes (16-8, 7-5 Big 12) travel to face the Houston Cougars (7-16, 1-11 Big 12) on Wednesday evening at Fertitta Center, seeking to continue a winning streak in a series they currently lead 3-1.
Colorado is coming off a dramatic 80-79 victory over No. 14 TCU on Sunday, a game decided by a last-second and-one play from senior forward Jade Masogayo. Masogayo finished with a career-high 23 points, drawing nine fouls and converting 9 of 10 free throws. Junior guard Zyanna Walker added 15 points and four steals, whereas Desiree Wooten contributed 19 points and Logyn Greer 17 off the bench.
The Buffs’ win against TCU marked their first victory over a ranked opponent since January 25, 2025, when they defeated then-No. 10 Kansas State. Colorado head coach JR Payne, in her tenth season, has a record of 180-124 with the program and has led the team to three NCAA tournament appearances.
Houston, meanwhile, is struggling in Big 12 play, with a 1-11 record. The Cougars lost their first Big 12 game of the season to Colorado on September 13, 2025, falling 36-20. The team is led by junior quarterback Conner Weigman, who had 222 passing yards and 83 rushing yards in that contest. The Cougars’ offense has been inconsistent, averaging 60.7 points in their last 10 games while allowing opponents to score 77.1 points per game.
Masogayo’s recent performance earned her a spot on the Big 12 Starting Five this week, the conference announced Monday. She currently ranks 25th in the Big 12 in points per game (12.0) and is 15th in free throw percentage (77.5%). Zyanna Walker is tied for second in the conference in steals per game (2.4), and senior forward Anaëlle Dutat leads the Big 12 in total offensive rebounds with 87.
Colorado’s team statistics place them fifth in the Big 12 for rebounding margin (5.9) and steals per game (10.21). They are also fourth in offensive rebounds per game (13.3) and sixth in scoring defense (61.0). The game against Houston will be streamed on ESPN+, with radio coverage available on the Colorado Radio Network and Sirius XM.
The matchup on Wednesday marks the first meeting between the two teams in conference play this season, following Colorado’s victory over Houston in the first round of the 2025 Big 12 Championship on March 5.
