Wyoming’s bench played the majority of the game in its 70-35 victory over Regis on Sunday in Laramie.
“I like the fact that our reserves have gotten the chance to play significant minutes,” head coach Larry Shyatt said. “You can say that was the plan. The plan does not work unless the first group comes in there and gives them a substantial lead.”
“This is a game where we wanted to be able to see what (the bench) guys can do,” redshirt freshman forward Alan Herndon added. “Not just to be out there but to go out there and play good.”
The most minutes played by any starter was by senior guard Riley Grabau who logged 19 minutes.
The bench ended up accumulating 41 points and there were some career-highs for a couple of those players. Freshman guard Alex Aka Gorski had a career-high nine points. He showed versatility with being able to spot up from deep, drive to the hoop and being able to finish in transition. Freshman forward Jonathan Barnes also had a career-high with eight points. He also showed off his versatility as he drove to the hoop and finished and showed off his mid-range game.
“It felt unforced for the first time,” Barnes said. “It came naturally. It was really important for me. This was a good game to re-instill some confidence, be able to see what I need to work on in practice and see what I can contribute to the team.”
Redshirt senior center Matt Sellers, in just nine minutes, showed his around-the-rim prowess as he scored 12 points.
“When you’ve got guards that we have it makes the offense for us pretty easy,” Sellers said.
Senior forward Larry Nance Jr. scored his 1,000 point in the first half. He became the first Cowboy to accomplish that feat since Brandon Ewing did in the 2007/2008 season.
“He is such a selfless guy,” Shyatt said. “I am sure it means a lot to him, but it probably will mean a lot more at the end of the year when hopefully he has accumulated several individual and several team accomplishments.”
Wyoming will now turn its focus to Cal who is 7-1 on the year that features a win over Syracuse. Wyoming will try to notch their first road win on the young season as they were unsuccessful in their only other road game versus SMU.
“We have to come in there with a level of confidence,” Herndon said. “We just have to have more focus.”
