The University of Wyoming men’s basketball team won their season opener against Colorado Christian University 72 – 69 this past Thursday at the Arena Auditorium in Laramie.
Without senior guard Justin James, some of the younger Cowboys had to step up to get the win. Sophomore Hunter Maldonado led the team with 13 points and 10 rebounds, the first double – double of his career.
“Hunter (Maldonado) is such a solid player,” head coach Allen Edwards said. “He didn’t shoot it great, but what I love about him he has bought in since day one of his freshman year to what we are doing, and I’ve tried to get some of the younger guys to look at Hunter as an example.”
Maldonado, senior Jordan Naughton and senior Nyaires Redding combined for 35 points to lead the Cowboys to their victory over Colorado Christian.
“This was an opportunity for me to solidify some thoughts and answer some questions about some guys who I still need to make decisions on whether they can help us this year or whether we will consider redshirting them,” Edwards said. “There was a method within what we did tonight. I wanted some of our young guys to have to go through this tonight and understand the kind of competition that is coming their way.”
Both redshirt freshman Hunter Thompson and freshman Brandon Porter added 10 points each. Porter was 2-of-3 for 3 – pointers and Thompson was 3-of-5 from the field.
“With (Hunter) Thompson, I believe he is going to be good, but it’s not going to happen all at once,” Edwards said. “Other than getting in foul trouble, I thought he was very comfortable on the floor whether in the post or out on the perimeter. I thought he did a great job of moving his feet on defense.”
Along with Justin James, junior college transfers A. J. Banks and Jake Hendricks did not play as well.
“”We had a few guys out and not playing, but I know what I have with those guys,” Edwards said. “J.J. (Justin James) wanted to play, but I didn’t want to chance it in an exhibition. Jake Hendricks couldn’t play because of his hand. A.J. (Banks) was another guy we held out.”
CCU was leading the game at half, 26 – 24. But the Cowboys rallied back in the second, scoring 48 points as opposed to CCU’s 43.
The Cowboys will take on the University of California Santa Barbara next. The game is set to take place next Tuesday, November 6 at 8 pm MST at the Arena Auditorium in Laramie.
