With 6:35 remaining in the Wyoming Cowboys’ road contest at the San Diego State Aztecs, Dontaie Allen would cash in a huge triple at the end of the shot clock to give the Cowboys their largest lead of the night at 50-41. The Cowboys were rolling to that point and were on a 9-2 run, looking to come away with their first win in Viejas Arena in nearly twenty years, as the last time the Cowboys had won over the Aztecs on the road was in 2007. This one looked as good as any attempt of beating the Aztecs on the road in recent years for the Cowboys, especially with the lead they had coming down the stretch.
Then–slowly, but surely–the Cowboys saw that lead dwindle away until it was no more. With a chance to answer the then 10-0 run by the Aztecs, Obi Agbim would step to the free throw line and miss a pair of freebies, which allowed the Aztecs to extend that lead to a profound 20-0 before the Cowboys would finally answer.
“We knew what was coming down the stretch, you knew something was going happen, right?” head coach Sundance Wicks said of the Aztecs’ big run.
Talk about a knockout punch, right? Certainly, with an 11-point lead with just 15 seconds remaining in the contest, the Aztecs would easily cruise to double-digit victory, right?
In an unforeseen turn of events, Obi Agbim would be fouled on a three point attempt, nailing all three free throws he was awarded. Simultaneously, the Aztecs’ Nick Boyd would oddly earn himself a technical and was ejected from the game, giving the Cowboys two more free throws and possession underneath their own basket. With the game within six points, Dontaie Allen would be fouled on yet another three point attempt, nailing three straight to make it a three point game at 58-61.
Just like that, this game was close once again within a blink of an eye. While the Aztecs tried their best to let the Cowboys back into the contest late, the home team would hit a clutch free throw late, sealing the game despite Agbim hitting his first and only three pointer late as the Cowboys’ last second comeback effort would fall just short.
While this team may be tired of moral victories, their performance tonight–despite the end result–is one to be commended, as the Cowboys haven’t played the Aztecs to a single digit game in Viejas Arena since the 2016-2017 season. Wicks was proud of his team’s effort despite the loss, as well.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our Pokes’ effort tonight, the game plan was executed, and you could see them frustrated and a lot of good things from our guys,” Wicks said.
The foul discrepancy was a big factor in the contest, as the Aztecs were in the double bonus within 10 minutes of the second half–and they began their coveted 20-0 run with eight straight free throws.
“For me, it’s like we wanted this game, but you gotta also get the whistle sometimes if it’s gonna happen,” Wicks said postgame. “Some games you get it, some games you don’t.”
The Cowboys also had some nice individual efforts, despite the loss, as well. Allen led the Cowboys in scoring with 18 points, as the senior hit timely shots and was lethal from deep, making 4/8 triples.
“I couldn’t take him off the floor, I mean, he just had it going and I couldn’t take him off the floor, right?” Wicks said.
Despite struggling from the field–making just 2/10 shots–Agbim finished his night with 12 points to pace Allen. Although Agbim struggled to involve himself in the scoring column, he was vital in setting the Cowboys up in their half-court offense and taking care of the Aztecs’ full-court, physical pressure.
“We knew they were going to come at Obi, and it was another physical game. But six assists and three turnovers, for a matchup where you know they’re going to come at him, I was really proud of how Obi let the game come to him,” Wicks added of Agbim.
The Cowboys’ next contest doesn’t get any easier, as the Cowboys play host to Utah State on Tuesday. In their matchup, the Aggies escaped the Cowboys on their homecourt by a score of 70-67.
