Wednesday, Jan. 31, might have been the date of the Super Blue Moon, but it was also the date of a much more important event. The Wyoming Cowgirls basketball team (14-5) played the Colorado State Rams (14-7) in another edition of the Border War. Wyoming heads into this rivalry ranked first in conference. However they still suffered a tough loss with a final score of 64-53. Game time was 6 p.m. in the Arena Auditorium.
Sophomore for the Pokes, number 4, Taylor Rusk enters the game averaging 9.2 points per game. This is coming off her all freshman 2016-2017 season.
The Rams got out to an early lead, but the Pokes were able to make a slight comeback later in the quarter. The first quarter ended with the Rams having the lead 13-11.
CSU was able to expand their lead by 1, with the score going into half being 28-25. The Pokes commited 3 traveling penalties within the first half. Their leading scorers were Liv Roberts with 7, and Clara Tapia with 6. Tapia also lead the Pokes in rebounds with 3. Hannah Tvrdy lead CSU in scoring with 9 points and 5 rebounds.
As the second half started the Pokes were able to get more going. The Cowgirls were able to tie the Rams at 30 a piece after a 3 point play from Rusk with 7:57 remaining in the third quarter. Roberts reached a milestone and hit the 1,000 career points mark, in the Third quarter and is one of only 24 Cowgirls to do so. The third quarter ended with a score of 44-43 CSU still remaining ahead.
The Rams started to run away with it in the fourth quarter, with 5 minutes left in the game they were ahead 54-46. With just over 2 minutes left Rusk made another three point play that brought the Cowgirls within 5 with a score of 58-53. However, it was not enough and the Pokes lost just their second Conference game with a final score of 64-53 in this edition of the Border War.
Despite the loss it was still a good day for the Pokes with Roberts reaching such a career milestone.
“I appreciate all the support. [from the fans]” Roberts said in regards to such a momentous occasion.
The Cowgirls next game will be Saturday, Feb. 3, at Fresno State.
