Colorado Buffaloes’ Jade Masogayo, right, looks to put up a shot past Iowa State Cyclones’ Alisa Williams, left, at the CU Events Center in Boulder on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer) If all goes as planned, Jade Masogayo will have at least another month left in her c ollege basketball career, so it seems a bit early for goodbyes. Yet, on Saturday night, the Colorado women’s basketball team will honor Masogayo and Anaelle Dutat for its annual senior night. “Yeah, definitely bittersweet,” Masogayo said. “I, low-key, am a little sad. The last couple games are approaching to play here at CU, in Colorado, and so definitely sad about that, but trying not to think about it too much right now because we do have really important games that we need to focus on.” The Buffs host No. 20 Texas Tech on Saturday in a game that is huge for both teams. Tech is in a three-way tie for second place in the Big 12 with Baylor and West Virginia, all three at 11-4 in the conference. CU is just a game back, at 10-5, tied with Oklahoma State. With only three games remaining in the regular season, CU could mathematically finish anywhere from first to 10th in the final standings. A win against Tech could boost the Buffs into a top-four finish and a double-bye for the conference tournament. “I think it’s a huge game for both teams,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “I think both teams will be very well-prepared and will really want it, because it’s pivotal for both teams and I think it’s going to be just an absolute dogfight.” To win Saturday, the Buffs will rely on their two seniors to play well, and they have for much of this season. Masogayo is second on the team in scoring (12.3 points per game) and rebounds (5.1 per game). Dutat is sixth in scoring (9.1) and first in rebounds (8.2). Masogayo, in particular, has stepped up in conference play. She shook off some early season struggles – when she was dealing with a sore knee – and has posted 14.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game against the Big 12. She’s played a pivotal role in the Buffs’ current stretch of seven wins in eight games. “I’m just trying to do everything I can, just to help this team be successful and make it to the (NCAA) Tournament,” she said. “It’s really important to all of us, especially me in my last year. I’ve never been, so it’s something that’s really important to me. I’m just trying to do everything I can to get those dubs (wins) and just keep striving for greatness for real.” Masogayo played her first two seasons of college basketball at Missouri State and was the Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the year in 2022-23. After transferring to CU last year, Masogayo has taken her game to a new level, growing on and off the court in her two years in Boulder. “We’ve seen Jade grow in so many ways; basketball, of course, but also just outside of basketball,” Payne said. “Like, her confidence and the way she carries herself and she’s going to graduate this spring or summer. … For her to develop and grow her relationships with her teammates and all of us, and it’s just, man, it’s beautiful.” Masogayo said this has been the best two years she’s ever had, and called this year’s team the best she’s ever been a part of in basketball. “It’s just really special that I’m able to play with these guys,” she said. “They’re amazing. I can definitely call them family. It’s just something I’m gonna miss, really, really much. So I’m just trying to cherish all the moments and just stay in the present right now.” This is a team featuring 10 newcomers, including Dutat, who starred at Rhode Island for three years before coming to CU this year. She had a mid-season slump, but has otherwise been very good for the Buffs and is one of the top rebounders and defenders in the Big 12. Colorado Buffaloes’ Anaëlle Dutat moves the ball up the court against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at the CU Events Center in Boulder on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer) “She’s awesome. She’s one that I genuinely wish I could have for at least one more year, or two, three,” Payne said. “From a work standpoint, she’s the most reliable player I’ve ever coached. Every single day she shows up exactly the same. … I think that trust and that reliability has been really critical for our success and stability.” It’ll be critical on Saturday, too, as the top priority, before celebrating the two seniors, will be to try to get a win. And, after that, the Buffs still have two more regular season games, the Big 12 tournament, and, they hope, the NCAA Tournament. “Tomorrow I’m not really focused on, you know, senior night, for real,” Masogayo said. “We got a big game, Texas Tech, so really just trying to lock in on that. “We’re just trying to get those really good wins just to help us for the tournament.” CU Buffs women’s basketball vs. No. 20 Texas Tech TIPOFF: Saturday, 7 p.m., CU Events Center in Boulder TV/RADIO: ESPN+/KHOW 630 AM RECORDS: Colorado 19-8, 10-5 Big 12; Texas Tech 24-4, 11-4 Big 12 COACHES: Colorado — JR Payne, 10th season (183-124; 284-237 career). Texas Tech — Krista Gerlich, 6th season (101-87; 390-234 career). KEY PLAYERS: Colorado — F Tabitha Betson, 6-2, So. (5.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg); F Anaelle Dutat, 6-0, Sr. (9.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.9 spg, .525 fg%); F Logyn Greer, 6-4, Fr. (9.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg); F Jade Masogayo, 6-3, Sr. (12.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, .518 fg%); G Zyanna Walker, 5-11, Jr. (10.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.3 spg); G Desiree Wooten, 5-8, Jr. (12.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 spg). Texas Tech — G/F Jalynn Bristow, 6-2, Jr. (10.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.1 bpg); G Snudda Collins, 6-1, Sr. (15.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, .413 3pt%); G Denae Fritz, 5-11, Sr. (7.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.1 spg); F Jada Malone, 6-3, Sr. (7.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, .617 fg%); G Bailey Maupin, 5-10, Sr. (16.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.6 spg, .841 ft%); PG Gemma Nunez, 5-7, Sr. (5.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.9 apg, 2.2 spg). NOTES: The Buffs bring a four-game winning streak into the game and they are 7-1 in their last eight games. … Dutat is averaging 17.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals in the last three games. … Masogayo has made 27 of her last 30 free throws (.900). … For Tech, Maupin has averaged 22.3 points in the last four games. … Texas Tech leads the all-time series 19-6, including 8-3 in Boulder. Last year, the teams split their two meetings, with CU winning in Boulder on Feb. 2, 2025, and the Red Raiders winning in Lubbock, on March 1, 2025. … The Buffs are 2-3 against Associated Press Top 25 opponents this season, including 2-1 at home. … CU is 13-2 at home this season, while Texas Tech is 7-2 on the road. … CU leads the Big 12 in rebounding margin (plus-5.6) during conference play. Texas Tech is 12th (minus-2.5). … In Big 12 play, CU is eighth in the conference in scoring (68.5 points per game) and Texas Tech is sixth (70.9). The Buffs are fourth in scoring defense (63.7), while Tech is third (62.5). … The Red Raiders opened the season 19-0, the best start in program history. … Ranked for the first time in 14 seasons, Texas Tech was picked for a 13th-place finish in the Big 12 preseason poll. … As of Friday, CU was No. 43 in the NET rankings and Texas Tech was No. 26. ...read more read less