The University of Wyoming men’s basketball team was defeated by the University of New Mexico 119-114 Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the Arena Auditorium in Laramie.
New Mexico’s 119 points were the most points scored against the Cowboys in the history of the Arena Auditorium. In addition, the overall 233 points scored in the game were a record high for the Arena Auditorium.
Fresh off an ankle injury, senior guard Louis Adams scored a career-high 31 points, going 11-of-15 from the floor and 6-of-11 from the free throw line.
“My team mates kept putting me in the right spot,” Adams said. “Despite the 31 I don’t really care. I’d rather get the win, you know.”
Going into Tuesday night’s game, there was concern of whether or not Adams’ ankle would be healthy enough for him to play.
“There was no doubt (in my mind) at all that I would play,” Adams said. “My ankle is 100 percent right now. It’d have to be actually broken for me to not play in these last three games.”
Junior guard Justin James had the second most points for the Cowboys, putting up 23. Senior forward Hayden Dalton trailed James with 21 points. This is the first time the Cowboys have had three 20-point scorers in a game since Feb. 16, 2002 against UNLV.
“Coming into the game, we were focusing on no easy three’s because they lead our team in three-pointers in the conference, and no easy layups. And that’s what they were getting all night,” James said. “It was a terrible defensive showing all around, by all five of us (on the court) and we just need to get better.”
The Cowboys struggled the whole game defensively. In the first half New Mexico had an 11-point lead at one point; however, the Cowboys were able to rally back and lead by three. Unfortunately, this would be the last time the Cowboys held the lead.
The Cowboys were down 55 – 53 going into halftime.
“It doesn’t matter how good you are, if you get open layups and three’s you’re going to be successful,” James said. “Obviously with Al (Herndon) being sick, it hurt us. He’s one of our best defenders in the paint.”
The second half was as much of a struggle for the Cowboys as the first. With 3:19 left in the game New Mexico had a 15-point lead over the Cowboys.
The Cowboys were able to rally back and get within 5 points of New Mexico, but alas it was not enough and the Cowboys fell 119 – 114 to New Mexico.
The Cowboys next game is this Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8:00 p.m. against Fresno State in Fresno. The game will air on ESPNU.
