Despite hanging with the Aztecs for a majority of the game, a few untimely turnovers left a gap too big to overcome for Wyoming, with the Pokes losing in heartbreaking fashion, 72-69.
The final game of the season in the Arena Auditorium brought all the emotions of senior night, with fans bidding a final farewell to several team leaders including Obi Agbim, Dontaie Allen, Kobe Newton, Jordan Nesbitt, and Cole Henry.
The Cowboys struggled to put points up early, going 2-11 in the first five minutes of the contest. It appeared like the Pokes were headed for another lackadaisical performance late in the season, but a strong rebounding presence and a solid 12 point start from senior Dontaie Allen kept them in the game and carried them through the slump.
After getting back on track, the Cowboys and Aztecs battled back and forth in the first, with the continued ability of the Pokes to get the ball in the paint. At half, it was 34-33 Wyoming, with the Cowboys grabbing 22 first half rebounds to the Aztecs 9.
Neither team could pull away as the game moved into its final act. The Arena Auditorium began to heat up with 15 minutes remaining, after a sequence of technical fouls from what appeared to be jawing by both sides resulted in 2 for San Diego State and 1 for Wyoming.
With the crowd fired up, the Aztecs and Cowboys continued to battle. A few bad turnovers by Wyoming around the 10 minute mark helped SDSU gain a very narrow 5 point advantage heading down the stretch. The Cowboys fought to hang in it but after yet another turnover, the Aztecs were able to convert the opportunity into 3 points and gain their largest lead of the night at 65-58 with 3:23 left.
Obi Agbim attempted to stage a few late game heroics in the final minute, rallying his troops to narrow the gap to 72-69. After two missed Aztec free throws, Wyoming shuffled the ball down the court with 6 seconds remaining, but a block of the double teamed Matija Belic fell short, crushing the dreams of the Cardiac Cowboys.
Wyoming coughed up the ball 17 times to the Aztecs 7, which proved to be the difference in the final moments. Obi Agbim put up 21 points and 6 rebounds, playing the entire 40 minutes in his last home game for the Pokes. Dontaie Allen ended with 16 points and Cole Henry and Matija Belic grabbed 6 boards each to add to the team total of 39.
In a tough final home game, the seniors for Wyoming played their hearts out for the fans in Laramie. They’ll head to Fresno State on Tuesday night to cap their regular season, before competing in the Mountain West Championship tournament on the 12th.
