John Luke Fabian
Jfabian1@uwyo.edu
Twitter: @HouseFabian
Not even a 32 point scoring performance from senior guard Josh Adams could get the Cowboys the home upset over the California Bears. The Pokes (5-3) fell to the Bears (6-2) in overtime 78-72.
It was the second time this season Adams scored 30 or more points in a game, and he scored his final 11 points on a bum ankle. With 2:32 left in regulation Adams was undercut on a three-point attempt, which caused him to sprain his ankle. He was out all of 30 seconds before subbing back in to help the team push for overtime.
Even though Adams had a noticeable limp during and after the game, it was not his ankle hurting but his heart.
“I am hurt and it is not the ankle,” Adams said. “I know these two guys next to me feel the same way. This team competed as hard as I have seen them compete and the ball bounced Cal’s way and they made a few more plays than we did. I am heartbroken for these guys.”
The game began with the Bears taking a 12-7 lead over the Cowboys. California made five of their first seven shots with their only misses coming from three-point range. After the first media timeout, UW’s defense was then able to settle in and hold California two for their next 11 field goal attempts. Wyoming gained a six-point lead.
“Those first five minutes of the game we came out wide-eyed,” head coach Larry Shyatt said. “We gave up four of our five first possessions, they scored, scored, scored. From that point on I think that there was a major change. I thought our [team] dug in, planted their feet and took a stand.”
California, like any good team, was able to fight back and regain the lead. Heading into half time the Bears led the Pokes 35-29.
In the second half, California was able to extend their lead to 10, with 5:48 left in regulation. Wyoming did not panic though, and was able to take a stand again.
“The thing I was proudest of was we were down 10 with nine minutes to go and a lot of teams I’ve been around with poor chemistry you go to being down 19 or 20 in a hurry, but we tied that thing up and we had a chance to take the lead with about 30 seconds to go,” Shyatt said.
With a hurt ankle, Adams drove to the rim and was able nail the game tying layup. He was also fouled on the play and had the chance to take the lead with a made free-throw. He missed it. The game would head to overtime.
“If you would have told me this morning with 32 seconds to go, Adams at the line to take the lead, I probably would have taken it,” Shyatt said.
In overtime, the Cowboys were able to take a two point lead with 2:44 left to play, through the herculean play of Adams. He scored seven of Wyoming’s ten points in overtime. California was too much for the Pokes down the stretch and won in overtime.
A couple of players on the California squad are being talked about for playing in the NBA next season. Even while hurt Adams led all players in scoring, and got some chatter going about him and those NBA prospects.
“I would not make a trade, I can tell you that,” Shaytt said.
Wyoming will be back on the court again on Thursday at 7 p.m. where they will take on Southern at the Arena-Auditorium.
