Leonard Washington takes a shot during Saturday’s game against Fresno
State. The Cowboys won the game 55-51 in overtime.
Both the Cowboys and Cowgirls basketball teams faced thrilling match-ups this weekend against Fresno State. While the Cowboys team saw victory against the team, the Cowgirls suffered a loss while on the road.
The Cowgirls now have an 8-3 record in the Mountain West conference (19-5 overall). They are ranked No. 3 in the conference, with Fresno State ahead at No. 2 and San Diego State at No. 1, according to the MW. The Cowboys stand at No. 7 with the Boise State, Air Force, San Diego State, UNLV, Colorado State and New Mexico teams ahead of them. Wyoming’s men’s team now has a record of 4-7 in the MW Conference and an overall record of 18-7.
Arena Auditorium was packed with Poke fans during Saturday’s game. Holding the Bulldogs by just a field goal in the final minutes of the game, Wyoming was sent into overtime where they out-scored FSU 6-2 and went 4-6 at the free throw line.
“Not once have these guys not given their heart and soul to this program,” said head coach Larry Shyatt. “And the returners since being here in this program have been a part of 58 wins. That’s incredible despite how many streaks or how many black marks somebody wants to talk about. I’m very proud of that and I’m very proud of those guys. I feel like they were the ones who led me this afternoon.”
According to the final report given by the Wyoming Athletic Department, Leonard Washington led the Cowboys scoring 14 points and took away 13 rebounds, making him the first Cowboy since Justin Williams in the 2005-06 season to have three straight double-doubles from Feb. 4 to Feb. 11. Washington also added three blocks for his third-consecutive game with three blocks and eighth this season with three or more blocks.
Senior guard Derrious Gilmore scored 12 points for his 17th game this season in double figures. According to other results given at the game, junior guard Nathan Sobey played a career-high 30 minutes while adding a career-high 10 points. It is the second-consecutive game Sobey has set a career high in points and minutes played. Larry Nance Jr. added eight points for the Cowboys, while also tying career highs with five steals, four assists and three blocks.
“We’re going to go and fight all the way to the end just like we have been this whole year,” Gilmore said in a post-conference interview. “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”
The Cowgirls have been pushing themselves hard in this year’s conference but their difficulty coming together this weekend led to their defeat. In the reports compiled at the game, the team had difficulties with shooting and turnovers, leaving the final score at 61-47.
Despite the loss, players Chaundra Sewell and Kayla Woodward had reason to celebrate as both Cowgirls finished the game improving their personal records. Sewell finished the game with a team-high 11 points and eight rebounds followed by Woodward with her 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Cowgirls look to put the game against Fresno behind them as they prepare to host the San Diego State Aztecs tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Arena Auditorium. The Cowboys hit the road today to play against San Diego State. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.
