CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Freshman forward Arielle Roberson scored a game-high 25 points including a key late 3-pointer to help Colorado to a 69-62 win over Illinois Saturday afternoon at Assembly Hall.

Colorado, 6-0 for the second-straight season, also had career-best scoring performances from Jen Reese (15) and Jasmine Sborov (11) points.

The Buffaloes trailed Illinois (4-3) by seven at halftime (36-30) but quickly erased that deficit and played toe-to-toe with the Illini the rest of the game.

Illinois led 60-57 with just three minutes left in the game after All-Big Ten forward Karisma Penn hit a jumper in the lane. Roberson responded on the other end to cut the lead to one. On the next possession, Illinois turned the ball over and Reese gave CU a one-point lead. Chucky Jeffery then picked the pocket of Ivory Crawford and went coast-to-coast to put the Buffs up 63-60 with 1:26 left.

After a defensive stop, Colorado looked to clinch the game. Roberson had the ball on the left baseline, and with 37 seconds left, and the shot clock running down, drained a 3-pointer  — CU’s lone trey of the game – for a back-breaking six point advantage.

Penn, who entered the game averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds, battled foul trouble and was held to 11 points and four rebounds.

Jeffery finished with seven points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Colorado returns home to host Colorado State on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 5:50 p.m., at the Coors Events Center. Wednesday is a doubleheader as the CU men also host the Rams at 8:30 p.m.

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