The Cowboys took down the Nevada Wolfpack last Saturday in a high scoring affair by a score of 98-93. The game was the most balanced and efficient offensive effort the Cowboys have displayed all season, as four different players all reached double figures in scoring in the contest and everyone who played minutes in the game scored. The Cowboys also assisted on more than half of their field goals and only gave up 11 turnovers, a number much improved from a team who gives up the most turnovers in the Mountain West conference.
“It was a really good team win and I think it was the first time we put 40 good minutes together against a really good team,” head coach Jeff Linder said postgame. “Our guys’ energy and effort was very obvious and I thought our intensity of understanding the game plan was great.”
The Wolfpack jumped out to an early 15-5 lead on the Cowboys in the opening 5 minutes of the contest, making 6 of their first 9 shots from the field. This was nothing the Cowboys weren’t used to, however, as they have trailed by double digits at some point in every conference matchup this season.The Cowboys’ offense was sparked by Sam Griffin early, as he made or assisted on 9 of the Cowboys first 11 field goals, as the Cowboys would take their first lead of the night at 28-27 as Cam Manyawu would finish off a nice and-one play courtesy of a nice feed by Griffin. The end of the first half would be much of a back and forth affair, as Akuel Kot would end the half with his first 5 points and first make from deep in the game, giving him some massive momentum in the second half where he would explode offensively, alongside the rest of the Cowboy offense as they had the lead at 44-37 heading into the locker room.
Both Kot and Wenzel would have the offense rolling in the early goings of the second half, as Kot would nail a pair of triples and Wenzel would add another to extend the Cowboy lead to double digits. Both Kot and Wenzel would continue to roll, as Kot would also cash in his next two attempts from beyond the arc and Wenzel would dial another one in as the Cowboys would take their largest lead of the night at 76-61 midway through the second half. The Wolfpack would surge back late in the game, making it a 4 point game in the late-goings of the second half, but Griffin would help ice the game late hitting some big shots and free throws down the stretch as the Cowboys rolled to a 98-93 win over the Wolfpack.
Griffin stuffed the stat sheet for the Cowboys, leading the Cowboys offensively with a solid 26 point effort while dishing out 7 assists. He also notched 6 rebounds and shot the ball very effectively going 8/13 from the floor and 6/6 from the free throw line.
“I thought Sam played his best game since he has been here,” Linder noted of Griffin’s performance. “He controlled the game and the pace he played was phenomenal.”
The Cowboys also enjoyed a 20 point performance from Kot, who nailed a team-high 5 triples while also shooting an effective 7/11 from the field. Wenzel nearly had 20 himself, chipping in 19 points while grabbing 7 rebounds. Mason Walters rounded out the Cowboys in double figures with 11 points, while grabbing a team-high 8 rebounds
The Cowboys also had good production from their bench, as all three players coming off the bench scored 5 or more points. The Cowboy bench also outscored the Wolfpack bench 17 to 15.
The Cowboys were extremely efficient offensively, 57.7% from the field and 56.5% from beyond the arc, tying a season-high 13 made threes in the game. The Wolfpack also shot around 50% from the field in the game, but the Cowboy defense was able to hold them to 39.3% from beyond the arc. The Cowboys also just outrebounded the Wolfpack 35-34.
The Cowboys hit the road for their next contest, taking on the San Diego State Aztecs on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
