Although the Colorado women’s basketball team didn’t finish the way it wanted on Wednesday at West Virginia, it got off to a hot start, and it was no surprise who provided the spark.

Senior forward Nyamer Diew has provided a significant lift to the Buffs in recent games as her comfort with a new team has grown.

“I think it’s just clicking,” Diew said this week. “And I personally think it’s the consistency in, like, my role now and being able to do it against all teams.”

A 6-foot-2 senior from Marshall, Minn., Diew is averaging a career-high 7.2 points for the Buffs (12-5, 3-3 Big 12), who are looking to bounce back from a 73-46 loss at West Virginia when they visit Cincinnati on Saturday (4 p.m., ESPN+).

In CU’s first two Big 12 games, Diew played a total of just 18 minutes, scoring two points and pulling down two rebounds in those games. In the four games since, however, she is averaging 9.8 points on 12-of-23 shooting (52.2%). She’s scored at least nine points in each of those games, while also contributing in other ways.

“Right before the Baylor game (on Jan. 4), I kind of challenged the team,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “Like, ‘Too many of you are neck-and-neck. You have to go out and beat somebody, or earn it.’ Really just talking about trying to raise the level of competitiveness in what we’re doing each day.

“I thought since that practice on, she’s been absolutely awesome. Her energy is great, she’s competing, she’s talking. I just think she’s been fantastic since then.”

Prior to that challenge, Diew had no points in six minutes in a loss at No. 11 TCU. Three days later, she had nine points and six rebounds against Baylor, sparking her recent run of success.

She had nine points on Wednesday, all of those coming in a first quarter run that gave CU a 22-12 lead in what would become a disappointing loss. Diew also added three steals, tying her season high.

Diew cites her growing comfort level with the Buffs, especially point guards Kindyll Wetta and Kennedy Sanders.

“I feel like it’s been clicking a lot more, but then also, I’ve been getting a lot more shots that are more for me,” she said. “I’m not taking an uncharacteristic shot for me, or anything like that. I think it’s just easier, since I’ve played a little bit more with Kennedy and Kindyll, and so it’s just, we know what our strengths and weaknesses are a little more, which makes it so much fun.”

After starting her career at Butler in 2020-21, Diew played three years at Iowa State.

For the Cyclones, she played in various roles, even starting sometimes. Her job could change from game to game, however.

This year, she has started eight games and come off the bench for nine for the Buffs, but what she’s asked to do is be consistent.

Diew is now settling into a role off the bench after starting eight of CU’s first 11 games.

As a starter, Diew averaged 6.1 points on 37.8% shooting in 25 minutes per game. Coming off the bench, she has averaged 8.0 points on 51% shooting in 19 minutes per game.

“I love coming off the bench,” she said. “I think it just lets me see the game before I go in, and then make an impact.”

Payne has always loved having one of her best players coming off the bench, and Diew is starting to prove she can fill that role.

“Yeah and not just scoring, but like rebounding and defense,” Payne said. “I think she is a great spark off the bench.”

Through it all, Diew is enjoying the change of atmosphere she wanted this season. She loves her role and enjoys playing with the Buffs.

“That’s the nice thing with JR, is she preaches (playing loose) which is really nice,” Diew said. “Also my position coaches (Bianca Smith and Matt Hower), they’re really good at instilling confidence in me.”