The Cowboys basketball team lost the first game of the best of three CBI championship game Monday to Coastal Carolina, 91-81. Both teams will head back to Laramie to play game two on Wednesday and game three on Friday if necessary.
Coastal Carolina (20-17) will come to the Arena Auditorium where the Cowboys (21-15) are 17-3 on the season. The Pokes will have some work to do after an outstanding performance from the Chanticleers.
“We have to get better as a program on the road,” head coach Allen Edwards said. “Coastal Carolina protected their home floor with great energy and physicality. We tried to fight back, but we allowed too many points tonight.”
Coastal Carolina jumped out to a hot start with a 15-5 lead just five minutes into the game. The Cowboys began the game leading 4-2, but 26 seconds would be the amount of time the Pokes ever led in the game. Carolina made the score 6-4 at the 17:27 mark in the first half and would maintain the lead for the remainder of the game.
The Pokes had a few key performers in the loss. Guard Jason McManamen finished with 19 points, leading all scorers, and shoot 4-8 from behind the arc. Forward Alan Herndon recorded 12 points and had a career high five blocks.
“I thought Alan (Herndon) did a tremendous job protecting the rim,” Edwards said. “Coastal Carolina hit three pointers well tonight and they were great in the paint with their offense rebounding.”
The Chanticleers were able to dominate the boards offensively, out rebounding the Pokes by 12. Carolina also managed to grab 18 offensive rebounds, the most given up by Wyoming all season.
Coastal Carolina showed much balance in their line-up, putting six Chanticleers in double figure scoring. They also had six players with at least 5 rebounds, showing how deep their roster is. Jaylen Shaw gave Coastal Carolina 15 points and 8 assists in their victory.
Forward Hayden Dalton filled the stats sheet with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists with zero turnovers for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys shot 44 percent from the field, but it wasn’t enough to match Coastal Carolina’s 47 percent. Both team were 38 percent from behind the arc.
Turnovers were an issue for the Cowboys, who had 15 on the night to only 13 assists.
The Cowboys look to rebound for a game two victory this Wednesday night in the AA. The game will be broadcasted on ESPNU at 7 p.m.
