Saturday the Wyoming Cowboys men’s basketball team won against the Nevada Wolf Pack by a score of 63-55.
Wyoming had four players in double figures in scoring, and had both starting forwards come up with double-doubles. Senior forward Larry Nance Jr. had 11 points and 10 rebounds and senior forward Derek Cooke Jr. had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
“It was a big key for us to rebound well today, and we had a contributions from a lot of players on the boards today. I knew this was not going to be easy. We built a 12-point lead in the second half and had a couple opportunities on some fast breaks to possibly knock it up to 14 or 15 points,” head coach Larry Shyatt said after the game.
The game started out with both teams going back and forth, exchanging blow for blow. Wyoming made their first two shots of the game which where threes from senior guard Riley Grabau and junior guard Josh Adams, respectively. The Cowboys did pull away from Nevada with 5 minutes left in the first. They took a 10-point lead heading into the half. Wyoming shot 42.3 percent from the field in the first. Grabau led the Pokes in scoring with 13 points.
The second half began with the Wolf Pack chipping at the Pokes lead and was able to bring it within six. Wyoming built their lead back up again and had a 13-point lead after a three ball from red shirt sophomore Jason McManamen. The Wolf Pack came out of a timeout and went on a 9-0 run where they forced Wyoming to commit two turnovers. Nevada brought the score within three at one point but did not take back the lead from the Cowboys. The Pokes won with a score of 63-55.
“Our guys feed off the energy from our crowd. The last two games that has really been the case. It’s been great. I appreciate it. I know our players really appreciate it, and hopefully we can get a good crowd here next Wednesday night,” coach Shyatt said.
Grabau made three 3-pointers in the game and is now fifth all time in made three balls for a Cowboy. He had a season high in points, and it was the ninth game this season that he has been in double figures. This was Nance’s fifth double-double of the season and Cooke’s third.
Wyoming is now 18-4 overall and 7-2 in conference play. The Cowboys are now half way through conference play and are currently tied for first place in the Mountain West with San Diego State.
“I think we are in a good spot. Not get too high and not get too low is the biggest thing for us as a team,” Grabau said after the game.
The Cowboys will be back in action on Wednesday to face off against Colorado State. The game is in Laramie and will begin at 7 p.m.
