Josh Adams drives to the basket in the game on Saturday afternoon against UNLV.
The UW men’s and women’s basketball teams split results against UNLV Saturday night.
The Cowboys continued their recent slump, losing 65-42 at home to the Runnin’ Rebels. The loss means the Cowboys have now won only three of their last 10 games after starting the season with a 15-2 record.
UW forward Derek Cooke Jr. scored a career-high 15 points and had nine rebounds to lead all scorers in the game, and forward Austin Haldorson contributed with six points coming off of the bench. Forward Kehm Birch scored 12 points and pulled down a personal high of 14 rebounds (five offensive) for the Runnin’ Rebels and forward Mike Moser added 11 bench points. The UW bench was outscored 25-11 on the night.
The Cowboys (18-9, 4-9 conference) did not take the lead once, whereas UNLV extended its lead to as many as 27 points. UW made only 17 of its 59 field goal attempts for a disappointing 28.8 field goal percentage, compared to 50 percent by UNLV.
The Cowboys have struggled in conference play all season. Of their 18 wins, only four have been against Mountain West Conference teams and every one of their nine loses have come against Mountain West oppositions. The Cowboys currently sit in 7th in the Mountain West, and their once promising season that could have led to a birth in the NCAA tournament in March seems to be unraveling.
The Cowboys’ next game is on the road versus the Air Force Academy at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Cowgirl senior Chaundra Sewell goes up for a basket Wednesday night in the game against San Diego State.
Though the men’s team struggled Saturday, the Cowgirls were able to notch another conference victory by a score of 64-60, remaining in a strong position as the conference tournament nears. The team’s conference record stands at 9-4, and it is three games behind leaders San Diego State.
Guard Kaitlyn Miletto led the way for the Cowgirls (20-6, 9-4 conference) with 19 points and she was aided by two other Cowgirls that hit double-digits. Kayla Woodward contributed 15 points and 9 rebounds and Ashley Sickles scored 12 points, according to the report from Wyoming Athletics.
An enlivened UNLV squad was able to keep it close at the end, but a late basket by Chaundra Sewell and two clutch free throws from Chelan Landry sealed the victory for the Cowgirls.
The victory will help to solidify their position in the conference and ends a two-game losing streak against conference opponents that saw them drop games at home against Fresno State and away to San Diego State.
The Cowgirls will play the Air Force Academy at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Arena Auditorium.
