In search of more offense, Colorado coach Kathy McConnell-Miller changed the starting lineup Saturday.

Bianca Smith made her first start of the season and her first start overall since Jan. 28 of last year at Missouri. The sophomore shooting guard was in the starting lineup 13 times last year.

Smith replaced junior Hannah Skildum, who had started the previous 16 games at shooting guard. Skildum came into Saturday's game averaging 3.7 points per game and had scored two points in her previous three games, while Smith was averaging 9.2 points per game entering the Oklahoma State contest and she finished with nine points against the Cowgirls.

"Hannah had been struggling," McConnell-Miller said. "I needed to do something. (Smith) did what we needed her to do."

History just missed

Colorado senior Jackie McFarland came within two assists of recording the first triple-double in CU women's basketball history.

McFarland had seven assists in the first half, setting up outside shooters. She finished with 21 points, a season-high 16 rebounds and a career-high eight assists.

McFarland was once two blocked shots shy of a triple double when she had 15 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks against South Dakota State on Dec. 28, 2005.

"She is the second-best post player in the Big 12 to (Oklahoma's) Courtney Paris," Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke said.

Bridget Turner was one rebound away from a triple-double in a Nov. 27, 1988, game when she had 21 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

McFarland also surpassed the 1,700 career points plateau (fourth player in CU history to do so) and has 1,716 career points.

Downtown

The Buffs made seven 3-pointers in the first half alone. They hadn't made seven in an entire game since winning their Big 12 opener at Missouri.

Colorado finished with 10 makes from 3-point range but took 34 shots from long range for a shooting percentage of 29.4 percent. It was the seventh time this season CU has made at least 10 shots from 3-point territory, extending a single-season school record.

Freshman Brittany Spears was 4-of-12 and sophomore Bianca Smith was 3-of-11 from 3-point range.

"I don't want to rely on a freshman and sophomore," McConnell-Miller said. "The ball needs to go inside. I don't want us to take 34 3s in a game."