The 11-seeded Cowboys basketball team got their shot at a Mountain West Championship run, but were unable to prevail in the first round, losing to the 6-seeded New Mexico Lobos, 87-76.
Alongside the Cowgirls, the Pokes took to Las Vegas in hopes of ending the season strong, but they failed to make it past the first round.
Coach Linder was once again not in attendance for this game, as he was tending to his ill father in Colorado.
Wyoming was winning at half time, 38-35, but was quickly retaken by the Lobos in the second half. They commanded the lead all the way until the final buzzer.
Hunter Maldonado, playing in his last game, appropriately dropped a career high in points with 36. He went 11-19 from the field as well, an impressive efficiency.
A Wyoming legend concluded his sixth season with the Cowboys and will surely be missed by his teammates and UW fans.
His super senior counterpart, Hunter Thompson, took the opposite end of the stick by not picking up a single point in the evening.
Thomspon had nine rebounds, but not the night he was looking for to conclude his Cowboys career.
Xavier Dusell and Jeremiah Oden each had 15 points a piece in the Pokes effort, a good way to cap off their seasons.
For the Lobos, Jaelen House was a problem with 28 points, and went 10-10 on free throws.
UW finishes the season 9-22, last in the Mountain West. New Mexico will move on to play the 3-seeded Utah State Aggies.
The beat-up Pokes were once again without Noah Reynolds and Graham Ike, a handicap that they have faced for the majority of the year was no different.
A painful Pokes season has come to an end. A season characterized by injuries, disloyalty and perseverance.
Fans now look forward to next season, hopeful that next year will go in a better direction.
