Colorado needed Jackie McFarland's 62 points, Brittany Spears' clutch plays and Aija Putnina's career high.

But the Buffs wouldn't have been able to complete their dramatic comeback victories over Villanova and TCU without Whitney Houston's almost error-free play at point guard.

The sophomore committed just one turnover in 60 minutes as CU overcame an 11-point deficit to the Wildcats and a 16-point deficit to the Horned Frogs en route to the WNIT's version of the Final Four.

The Buffs host Marquette in the semifinals at 7 p.m. today at the Coors Events Center.

"I've been confident in knowing that she's capable if that," CU head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller said of Houston, who still comes off the bench but has averaged 29 minutes per game in the postseason. "And I'm just happy now that it's starting to carry over game to game. She knows the significance of taking care of the basketball. If you look at the turnovers in the last couple games, that's a key part in why we could come back."

Houston has played an impressive all-around game in the WNIT, shooting 47.8 percent from the field with a total of five turnovers in 87 minutes. Starting point guard Su-sie Powers has only taken two shots in the tournament and has four turnovers in 37 minutes.

"Whitney Houston, for this half of the season, has made the biggest change," McFarland said. "I remember someone actually saying to her, 'Hey Whitney, we need you to do this.'

"And you could just see it click in her."

Houston made a 24-foot shot off the backboard and a layup in the final seconds of regulation against TCU in the quarterfinals. She finished the 96-90 overtime win with 13 points and one turnover.

"I try not to think about my turnovers, but my mom always tells me, 'No more turnovers,' " Houston said. "Every time I talk to her, 'How many turnovers did you get?' And then she asks me about the points. I try not to focus on it and just play and not think about it."

Houston, Powers and shooting guard Bianca Smith will have their hands full tonight against the Golden Eagles backcourt. Starters Angel Robinson and Krystal Ellis average a combined 30.4 points per game.

Ellis scored a career-high 40 points during Marquette's 69-64 victory at Kentucky in the quarterfinals. Notable

McFarland was named an honorable mention AP All-American on Tuesday. ... CU will play its first ever game in the month of April today. ... The Buffs, who have reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament three times, are in the semifinals of a postseason tournament for the first time in school history. ... CU and Marquette had four common opponents in 2007-08 -- Dartmouth, Gonzaga, Kansas and Villanova. CU defeated Dartmouth at home in December while claiming wins over Gonzaga and Villanova in WNIT games. The Buffs split with Kansas during the Big 12 regular season with each winning at home. Marquette played all four teams on the road defeating Dartmouth and Villanova while losing at Kansas and Gonzaga.