On Friday, the University of Wyoming women’s basketball team will face off against the Colorado State Rams in the 91st Border War matchup between the two teams. Below, the Branding Iron’s sports staff gives their predictions for the matchup.
John Denega
jdenega@uwyo.edu
The Cowgirls are coming off consecutive losses for the second time this season and the first time in three months.
They also are coming off just their second home loss, their first since early December, this season.
To make matters worse they are going on the road where they have struggled all year to find wins. On top of that they are traveling to Ft. Collins to take on the first place Rams of Colorado State.
It won’t be hard to motivate the Rams for this one. For starters, it is a rivalry game and secondly, the Cowgirls dealt the Rams their first conference loss of the season when they came up to Laramie a few weeks ago.
In Wyoming’s past two games they have been out rebounded and have uncharacteristically begun turning the ball over, with a combined 27 turnovers in those games.
The Cowgirls are at their best when they are assisting on most of their made baskets.
They need to get back to taking care of the ball and finding open teammates.
Even if they take care of the ball and rebound well, I do not see how they go down to Fort Collins, Colorado and come out victorious.
Colorado State will be very motivated and hungry to avenge their loss a few weeks ago.
Prediction: Colorado State 78, Wyoming 64
Kendyll Ferrall
kferral1@uwyo.edu
Last month the Rams traveled over the summit to suffer a substantial 75-49 loss at the hands of the Cowgirls. Most likely, this meeting will have a different result.
The Cowgirls have been inconsistent on the road this season, but they should be motivated to perform well after coming off of their only back-to-back conference losses this season. They will not want to end the regular season with three- consecutive defeats, considering they have yet to do that this season.
Losing only three conference games, the Rams are currently number one in the Mountain West and will want to keep that ranking as they head into the Mountain West Tournament next week. A Colorado State win on Saturday will mark the most conference wins ever for the Rams in a season, adding extra motivation to their performance.
Look for Lewis especially to come up big in her final regular season outing as a Cowgirl.
Sophomore guard Marquelle Dent and junior forward Kayla Woodward will be looking to make comebacks after underperforming on Tuesday.
Prediction: Wyoming 65, Colorado State 72
Breann Lujan-Halcon
blujanha@uwyo.edu
The Cowgirls are going to have to dig deep to end the regular season on a high note.
Colorado State, having won 18 of their last 20 games, is having their best season in 15 years. They clearly have the drive to beat the Cowgirls.
The Rams will be celebrating senior night on home turf, expect them to come out aggressively early.
The Cowgirls beat the Rams earlier this season, holding CSU to their lowest scoring game this year (75-49). Wyoming has historically led the series, allowing CSU only one home win in the last 8 years.
Look for the Cowgirls to take advantage of the same errors previously made by the Rams: slow starts, early turnovers and poor shooting. To win, Wyoming must control the game’s momentum from early in the first half to slow this team down.
Sophomore guard Marquelle Dent, who earned a career-high 24 points against the Rams, will be looking to reach new highs once again. Expect senior guard Kaitlyn Mileto and sophomore forward Kayla Woodward to capitalize on the Rams inability to defend beyond the arc.
CSU head coach Ryun Williams will be gunning to hold off Wyoming’s big scorers and find his first win against UW, the only Mountain West team he has yet to beat.
Prediction: Wyoming 67, Colorado State 59
