Down another key contributor, Arizona women’s basketball rallied to retake the lead in the fourth quarter but couldn’t hold on, losing their fourth straight.
On Tuesday night at home, UA (11-15, 2-13) fell 78-70 to Colorado.
Junior guard Sumayah Sugapong finished with 14 points and 2 steals, fouling out after getting a technical four with 3:39 left in the third quarter. On Sunday, graduate student guard Mickayla Perdue, UA’s leading scoring going into Tuesday’s game, announced her season was over due to a wrist injury.
Colorado closed out the game on a 12-1 run to complete the comeback win.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield drives past Colorado guard Zyanna Walker during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, Feb. 17, 2026, in Tucson.
About halfway through the third, graduate student guard Noelani Cornfield tied it up at 45-45 after stealing the ball and laying it in.
Although Sugapong fouled out with the score 49-47 in favor of Colorado, Arizona tied it at 54 with a Cornfield jump shot. Then after the Buffaloes retook the lead, Cornfield hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Wildcats a 57-56 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Colorado took the lead back at the start of the fourth quarter but the Wildcats responded with a 6-0 run.
Arizona built up a 67-60 lead by holding the Buffaloes scoreless for a little over 3 minutes and 30 seconds. CU then went on a 6-0 run, holding UA scoreless for a couple minutes.
Colorado (19-8, 10-5) then tied it up at 69 before going ahead 71-69 with 2:38 left and then pulled away to win its fourth straight.
Cornfield lead all scorers with 25 points.
Colorado had four players in double figures scoring, led by senior forward Anaëlle Dutat with 20 and sophomore forward Tabitha Betson with 15.
Colorado led 23-19 after the first quarter, leading almost the entire period. Then in the second, Arizona rallied to retake the lead at 29-28, its first since the score was 5-4 about a minute and a half into the game.
The Wildcats led by as much as three, 35-32, before CU held them scoreless for over 2 minutes to end the half and led 36-35 going into the third.
Up next for the Wildcats is a trip to No. 15 Baylor (22-5, 11-3). The Bears travel to No. 20 Texas Tech on Wednesday.
Photos: Arizona falls in a see-saw affair to Colorado 78-70, Big 12 basketball
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) just misses coming up with swipe on Colorado guard Desiree Wooten (3) during the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Nora Francois (13) gets battered by Colorado forward Anaëlle Dutat (15) trying to get a lay up during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) reacts after finding out teammate Sumayah Sugapong (3) fouled out early in the third quarter against Colorado, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Nora Francois (13) keeps an eye on Colorado forward Logyn Greer (11), pressuring her on the key during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Molly Ladwig (5) draws up for a three point attempt during the third quarter against Colorado, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona head coach Becky Burke has some words with a game official after picking up a warning during the third quarter of the Wildcats’ game against Colorado, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong (3) and guard Kamryn Kitchen (1) enjoy the comeback as the Wildcats forge into the in the third quarter against Colorado, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Molly Ladwig (5) gets some love from the bench after she helped the Wildcats grab the lead late in the third quarter of their Big 12 game against Colorado, Feb. 17, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) fights into the lane, picking up a foul from Colorado forward Jade Masogayo (14) during the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) finds the room to shoot in front of Colorado forward Logyn Greer (11) late during the fourth quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Colorado forward Anaëlle Dutat (15), left, and forward Jade Masogayo (14) tie-up Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11) as she tries to work her way to the basket during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Daniah Trammell (33) dribbles into the lane against Colorado during the second quarter of their Big 12 game, Feb. 17, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Molly Ladwig (5) bounces off of Colorado forward Jade Masogayo (14) trying to get to the basket during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona head coach Becky Burke talks to guard Sumayah Sugapong after she fouled out on a technical foul in the third quarter against Colorado, Feb. 17, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Molly Ladwig (5) loses her grip on the ball after being stripped on her drive late against Colorado, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) attempts a scoop after getting around Colorado forward Jade Masogayo (14) during the third quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield drives past Colorado guard Zyanna Walker during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, Feb. 17, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona guard Mireia Jurado (8) heads into the scrum and Colorado forward Anaëlle Dutat (15) in pursuit of a loose ball during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Nora Francois (13) has position on Colorado forward Jade Masogayo (14) in the jump for a rebound during the second quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona forward Daniah Trammell (33) just beats Colorado forward Logyn Greer (11) in the race to the loose ball during the first quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong (3) tangles with Colorado forward Anaëlle Dutat (15) trying to keep her form the inlet pass during the second quarter of their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield (4) gets out on the court early to get ready to face Colorado in their Big 12 game, February 17, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
