The #2 ranked Wyoming Cowboys ended Boise State’s reign atop the Mountain West Conference, defeating the Broncos 72-65 in Arena Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 3.
Arena Auditorium was packed yet again with Cowboy fans, starting in the student section going all the way to the nosebleed seats.
“All these games come down to the last minute or two. I mean, it’s just such a slim margin between teams,” Head Coach Jeff Linder said after the game. “It was another great college basketball in front of the AA”
Wyoming got off to a quick start in the game, finding Sophomore Forward Graham Ike in the paint for the first points of the game.
By the time Boise State called their first time-out, the Cowboys were up 15-7.
The matchup proved to be a physical one between the Cowboys and the Broncos.
Between the two, there were 9 team fouls in the first half alone.
The highest-scoring duo in the nation, Graham Ike and Senior Guard Hunter Maldonado, lead their teams in scoring averaging 19.7 and 19.4 points per game, respectively.
Tonight was no different as Ike racked up 33 points and 10 rebounds. Maldonado had a strong game as well, tallying 16 points and 7 assists.
“What can I say really,” Ike said. “Coach draws up the right plays.”
“I’m really grateful for this team and how much we stick with each other and love each other,” Ike said. “That’s what really helps us close out these close games.”
The Cowboys also found some help from Senior Guard Drake Jeffries, who helped the Cowboys win the rebound game against the Broncos with 10 rebounds.
Late in the first half Boise State took the lead with a three from 12, but Sophomore Guard Brenden Wenzel responded with a three of his own giving the Cowboys a lead of 25-24.
After some late half action, a steal from Boise State’s Marcus Shaver Jr. with under a minute left in the half tied the score at 28-28.
The Broncos started the second half off with back-to-back three-point field goals giving them a two-possession lead over the Cowboys.
The Cowboys quickly regained control of the game, out-rebounding and out-scoring the Broncos.
The first five minutes of the half saw the Cowboys go on a 9-0 run against Boise State, bringing the score to 47-40.
With under five minutes left in the half, the Cowboys and Broncos traded blows, each vying for the lead, scoring consistently down the stretch.
With 3:46 left in the half, a pump fake and side-step dribble move followed by a three-point field goal from Drake Jeffries produced an eruption of cheers from the crowd and brought the score to 60-57.
With the last seconds dying out, late-game fouls on Boise State gave the Cowboys a five-point lead over Boise State, 72-65 as the Pokes closed out the game.
