Wyoming fought to the final second but was unable to down the University of Northern Colorado Bears on Saturday, Dec. 1 as they would lose 85-80 in front of the home crowd in Laramie.
Wyoming (2-6) had an eight-point lead midway through the first half after trailing the Bears early in the game. UNC (5-1) retook the lead with 1:31 reaming in the half. Heading in to halftime UNC lead Wyoming 31-28.
At halftime Hunter Maldonado lead Wyoming in scoring with 8 points on 3-4 field goal and a perfect 2-2 from the free throw line. Nyaires Redding and Hunter Thompson would each have six points and Justin James would lead the team in rebounding with 5.
Wyoming would come out fighting and quickly overcame the three-point deficit. UNC regrouped and retook the lead with 16:14 reaming in the game. The Bears kept the lead the rest of the game with the largest lead being 10 points.
Wyoming would never be out of the game and multiple time the Cowboys attempted a comeback, but UNC would hold off any Wyoming retaliation and finish the game with an five point victory, 85-80.
The bears were able to increase their lead and hold off the Wyoming rallies thanks to some big three pointers by Bodie Hume who ended the day leading UNC in points with 23. 18 of those points came in the second half. Hume was unable to make a field goal, 0-2 and 0-1 from three-point range. In the first half Hume scored with all 5 of his points from the free throw line, a perfect 5-5. In the second half Hume was 6-10 from the field and 4-7 from three and go 2-3 from the three point line.
James would end the game with 25 points, the highest for Wyoming, after scoring only 5 points in the first half. James shot 10-16 from the field, 8-11 in the second half and would make his only three point attempted. James would shoot 4-6 from the charity strike.
Maldonado scored 12 second half point ending his day with 20 points on 8-14 shooting and 2-4 from three. He also hit both of his the free throws he attempted.
Wyoming ended the day 44 percent from the field and 45 percent behind the arc. UNC shot 47 percent from the field and 35 percent from deep. Wyoming was out rebounded by UNC 39-33 but committed 11 turnovers compared to the 13 committed by the Bears.
Wyoming will be back at home on Wednesday, Dec. 5 when they take South Carolina. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
