In a thrilling season opener, the Colorado women's basketball team overcame a halftime deficit to secure a hard-fought 56-50 victory over Wyoming. The key to their success? A timely pep talk from former Buffaloes star Jaylyn Sherrod, who imparted her wisdom and experience to the current squad during the break.

Veteran Leadership Ignites Buffs' Second-Half Surge

Sherrod's Halftime Intervention

Trailing 24-18 at the half, the Buffaloes were struggling to find their rhythm, connecting on just 25% of their shots in the opening two quarters. That's when Jaylyn Sherrod, one of the all-time greats in CU history, stepped in to provide a much-needed boost. Visiting the team for their season opener, Sherrod, now a member of the WNBA champion New York Liberty, addressed the squad in the locker room, offering words of encouragement and a fresh perspective."Honestly, she walked into the locker room at halftime – we're so blessed to have her here with us – and she said, 'Guys, it's not the Xs and Os; you just need to take a deep breath. We're not making shots, and that's OK. We just need to take a deep breath,'" recounted CU senior Sara-Rose Smith. "She said, 'You guys have been playing your whole lives. You know how to play basketball. You know how to put the ball in the hole. It's just resetting your mindset in that way.'"Sherrod's sage advice seemed to have the desired effect, as the Buffaloes emerged from the break with renewed energy and focus. They shot a blistering 43% in the second half, outscoring the Cowgirls by 12 points to secure the victory.

Smith's Dominant Rebounding Performance

While the Buffaloes struggled with their shooting throughout the game, going just 1-for-10 from beyond the arc and 13-of-24 (54.2%) at the free throw line, one player who stood out was senior Sara-Rose Smith. Despite coming off the bench, Smith made her presence felt, logging 32 minutes and finishing with 6 points and 11 rebounds."I think it feels pretty good knowing that our coaches break down what our individual jobs are, and my job simply is to rebound," Smith said. "I can take my hat off and know I did my job, and I did my job for my team. And that's something that I really want to hold myself to, and something that I will pride myself on for the rest of the season."Head coach JR Payne was full of praise for Smith's impact, noting that her energy and aggression off the bench provided a much-needed spark for the team.

Freshman Betson Showcases Potential

Another bright spot for the Buffaloes was the performance of freshman Tabitha Betson, who got the start and scored the team's first points on her opening shot. While she struggled to find her rhythm for the rest of the game, going 0-for-8 with 0-for-4 from 3-point range, Payne expressed confidence in the preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year."She just needs to settle into sort of the chaos of college basketball, but she'll be just fine," Payne said.The Buffaloes' victory was all the more impressive considering the challenges they faced playing at the high altitude of Laramie, Wyoming, which stands at 7,220 feet above sea level. Sophomore Aaronette Garzon acknowledged the toll it took, saying, "It was hard as (heck)," but praised Payne's use of timeouts to allow the team to catch their breath.With Sherrod's halftime wisdom, Smith's dominant rebounding, and the promising potential of Betson, the Buffaloes have laid the foundation for a successful season. As they continue to adapt to the high-altitude environment and find their shooting touch, the team's resilience and team-first mentality will be key to their continued success.