Sherrod sparks Buffaloes to road rout
CU snaps seven game losing streak at Gill Coliseum
CORVALLIS, ORE. >> Jaylyn Sherrod didn’t hesitate when asked if she and the Colorado women’s basketball team like playing on the road.
“No,” she said emphatically. “Absolutely not.”
The Buffaloes certainly know how to handle the road, however.
On Sunday, Sherrod set the tone for a dominant performance as the Buffs rolled past Oregon State, 67- 48, at Gill Coliseum.
It matched the largest margin of victory in a Pac12 road game in the Buffs’ 12 seasons in the conference. It also improved the Buffs’ conference road record to 5-2 this season as they completed an impressive weekend sweep of the Oregon schools. CU (18- 5, 9-3 Pac-12) is guaranteed a winning record in Pac12 road games for the first time since 2012-13.
“I think we still have the underdog mentality of just who this team is, from a respect level,” Sherrod said of going on the road. “I think going into this game and going into any game on the road, you’re coming into a hostile environment, you’ve got to create your own energy.”
Sherrod sparked the Buffs early and finished with 15 points, seven assists and a career-high tying seven steals. She had four steals and five assists in the first quarter as the Buffs jumped to an early
16-2 lead and 21- 6 advantage by the end of the first quarter. CU’S lead stretched to 28- 6 midway into the
second quarter.
“Jaylyn I think set the tone for us defensively early, which kick- started
our transition offense,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “All of that I thought was really important and she kind of started that.”
CU had lost seven straight at Gill Coliseum, including a heart- breaking overtime defeat a year ago. Sherrod, who had been 0-3 in this building, didn’t forget last year, when she made just 2- of- 9 shots, scored four points, had one assist and no steals.
“I kind of took today personal,” she said. “We only play them once (this season) and last year just left a bad taste in my mouth. I just wanted to come out here with a lot of energy. … I know my best attribute to this team is my energy, so I just take that personally and come out here with a lot of it.”
Sherrod’s teammates followed her lead. Quay Miller struggled with her shot (6of-21), but still finished with 15 points and a careerhigh 19 rebounds. Frida Formann scored eight points in the Buffs’ opening surge and finished with 13, along with seven rebounds.