The University of Wyoming men’s basketball team ended Nevada’s seven game win streak in a double overtime win, 104-103, at the Arena Auditorium Wednesday night.
This is the first time the Cowboys have beaten a ranked team at home since 2014, when the Cowboys beat No. 5 San Diego State 68-62.
The Cowboys’ Justin James had 33 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out in the first overtime. Senior Hayden Dalton scored seven of his 25 points in the second overtime, leading the Cowboys to a victory.
“Coming down to the wire, we just had to make plays and we hit some good free throws down the stretch, took care of the ball and did what we needed to do,” Dalton said.
Dalton shot 7 of 19 from the field, three of which were 3-pointers, and made all eight of his free throws.
Senior guard Louis Adams put up 17 of the Cowboys’ 104 points, including a free throw that put the Cowboys up 104-100 with six seconds left in the game.
“I thought our guys came out and played a really, really good basketball game and just stayed the course through the overtimes to come away with the win,” Cowboys coach Allen Edwards said.
It was obvious the Cowboys came to play with Freshman Hunter Maldonado and Junior Justin James putting up back-to-back 3-pointers to start the game.
The game was tied 74-74 at the end of regulation and 89-89 at the end of the first overtime. A last second effort by Nevada’s Cody Martin would leave Nevada just one point shy of the Cowboys.
Nevada’s scoring was led by Junior guard Jordan Caroline, with 29 points, and Junior forward Cody Martin, putting up 27 points.
“They’re a really good team in their own building and we came up a basketball short and a couple seconds short, but we lost the game and got outplayed,” Nevada coach Eric Musselman said.
Both teams shot well from the line, the Cowboys hitting 34 of 42 and Nevada 30 of 38.
The Cowboys’ 104 points were the most they’ve scored since Jan. 2, 2010 when they scored 123 points against Adams State in Laramie.
Nevada is taking on Fresno State next Wednesday, Jan. 31 at home. The Cowboys are travelling to play San Jose State on Saturday and Colorado State on Wednesday.
The Cowboys next home game is Saturday Feb. 3 against Fresno State.
