The Arizona women’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a slow start at Colorado on Wednesday night, falling 75-56 to the Buffaloes at CU Events Center in Boulder.
The Wildcats trailed 17-5 after the first quarter and were down by as many as 19 points in the second.
“Our start really, really hurt us,” UA coach Becky Burke said afterward. “It's been an Achilles’ heel for us, whether it's been a quarter that we've had a lull, or a start to a game, or our ability to finish it, to put together a full 40 minutes.
“We lose the last three quarters by seven (points). So I think it was fairly even through those last three quarters. But that first quarter, coming out, not being prepared to compete at the highest level that we needed to.
“Credit to them. They had a great game plan. They executed well. Ultimately, we weren't ready to play from the beginning. This is not a team that has the luxury of doing that.
“Frustrated with the outcome. Proud of our fight, as I have been, through certain areas and certain portions of the game. But ultimately it's a loss, and that's not what we're here for.”
Arizona guard Mickayla Perdue dribbles the ball against Colorado on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. Perdue had a game-high 22 points in the Wildcats' 75-56 defeat.
It was the second game in a row in which one poor quarter essentially doomed Arizona, which fell to 9-4, 0-2 in the Big 12. The Wildcats were outscored 24-4 in the second period against Utah on Dec. 22, a game they ended up losing 63-62.
On Wednesday, the closest Arizona got was 39-31 with 5:26 left in the third quarter on a layup by Tanyuel Welch. The Buffs (10-4, 1-1) outscored the Wildcats 12-5 the rest of the period and were never seriously threatened the rest of the way.
UA guard Mickayla Perdue led all scorers with 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 5 of 11 from 3-point range. Guard Noelani Cornfield had 13 points and three assists. Welch had 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Burke was concerned about Colorado’s length and athleticism entering the game. The Buffs outrebounded the Wildcats 41-30 and outscored them in the paint 34-22. Two of Arizona’s bigs, Daniah Trammell and Blessing Adebanjo, fouled out.
“We are very small,” Burke said. “We're not very athletic. We don't have length, and when we see that, it bothers us.
Arizona forward Blessing Adebanjo dribbles the ball against Colorado on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Boulder, Colo.
“I just told them in the locker room, ‘Suck it up, because you're going to see it the rest of the way.’ We are never going to be the biggest team, the most athletic, the longest.
“How are you going to handle pressure? Are you going to be poised? Are you going to do the extra stuff that's going to allow you to handle length and athleticism? Because we're not getting bigger overnight.”
Wednesday was Arizona’s first road game of the season — and the first college road game ever for several Wildcats, including Trammell and Adebanjo. Trammell, a true freshman, had her least productive game of the season (zero points, three rebounds).
“Everybody wants to give us these cop outs and these excuses, and I'm just not doing it,” Burke said. “I don't care if it's a road game, a home game, we gotta be prepared and ready to play from the beginning.”
Arizona is back on the road Saturday against No. 21 Texas Tech (15-0, 2-0).
