The Cowgirls should come with a warning when they play at the Arena Auditorium. The Cowgirls dominated the Mountain West’s no. 1 team 75-49, remaining undefeated at home in conference play on Saturday.
The Pokes were looking to come back from their tough loss to Fresno State last Wednesday and they did – in a big way.
Sophomore guard Marquelle Dent went on a 12-point run to begin the first half, controlling the Cowgirls offense and the scoreboard for a majority of the first half, scoring 16 of the team’s 29 points.
“Tonight, the way Colorado State went to play us defensively, it was time for Marquelle Dent to step up,” said Wyoming head coach Joe Legerski. “Her speed is amazing when she has the basketball in her hands and she got us off to the start we needed.”
Colorado State took their first lead of the game after going on an eight-point run to pull ahead 18-14, but the Cowgirls quickly recovered after a three from junior forward Kayla Woodward, followed by pair of three’s from junior guard Kaitlyn Mileto to end the half 29-25.
The second half picked up where the first half left off, beginning with a seven-point run by the Cowgirls, initiated by a set of jumpers from Woodward to lead the Rams 36-29. A deep three by Mileto, followed by back-to-back three’s by Woodward sparked a four-minute scoring drought for the Rams resulting in the Cowgirls 17-point advantage – the largest lead by either team that night.
“You could see the confidence grow in this group as the second half went along,” said Legerski. “I thought Kayla Woodward was big in the second half. Offensively, she let the game come to her and she made shots when she opportunities to shoot the basketball.”
Dent continued to dominate scoring throughout the second half, ending the night with a career-high 28 points, shooting 63 percent from the field.
“Marquelle, she was in the zone and she was making all the right decisions,” said Mileto. “I felt like every pass that I passed to her, she was going to knock down every shot. It was just that kind of game for us.”
Wyoming held onto their lead for the remainder of the game. A 14-point run with contributions from Dent, freshman center Kaylie Rader and senior guard Kaylee Hoffman extended their lead to 25-points.
To end the game, sophomore forward Whitney Gordon hit a shot from outside the paint with a minute left, securing the Cowgirls’ 26-point upset over rival Colorado State and 12th straight Border War victory.
Dent lead all scorers, followed by Woodward with 18 points and seven rebounds and Mileto with 13 points. Senior guard Fallon Lewis ended the night with her 11th double-figure rebounding game, racking up 12 boards and junior forward Jordan Sibrel recorded six of her own.
The Cowgirls shot 49.1 percent from the field, 50 percent from beyond the arc and went 71.4 percent from the free throw line.
The Rams shot only 32.3 percent from the field and 15 percent from beyond the arc.
Adding to Saturday’s achievements, Legerski was honored by the Wyoming state legislature as being the winningest coach in school history with over 200 wins.
“With this team, there are times that you’re not sure what you’re going to get the entire 40 minutes,” said Legerski, “But I know they are always going to compete.”
The Cowgirls head to Colorado Springs, Colo. for their next game against the Air Force Falcons on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
