Cowboy Offense Can’t Find Rhythm in 62-48 Loss at UNLV
* University of Wyoming press release
LAS VEGAS, Nev., - The Wyoming Cowboy offense could not find a rhythm in a 62-48 loss to UNLV on Saturday evening at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The Pokes shot 35 percent from the field for the game falling to 12-10 overall and 5-4 in the Mountain West.
“It is really hard to win on the road and against a talented team,” UW head coach Jeff Linder said. “Those guy have shown they are talented and they are playing well right now. Coming on the road we knew we had to take care of the ball and when we have open looks, we have to knock them down.”
Wyoming was led by freshman Cam Manyawu added 13 points and nine rebounds. Brendan Wenzel added 12 points for his third-straight game in double-figures. Mason Walters added six points and a season-high 13 rebounds. The 13 rebounds tied a season-high by a Cowboy.
The Pokes 35 percent was a season-low in a MW game for the Cowboy. The Pokes also were held to 16 percent from behind the arc. UNLV shot 44 percent for the game and added eight three pointers. UNLV held a 32-24 advantage in the paint for the evening. The Pokes did hold a 42-31 advantage on the glass.
Akuel Kot got the Pokes out to a 4-0 start with a pair of buckets early. UNLV responded with an 8-0 run to take an 8-4 lead with 14:18 left in the first half. Kot would knock down another jumper and tie the contest at 11-11 at the 12:29 mark of the opening frame.
The Runnin’ Rebels went on an 8-0 run over four minutes to make it a 19-11 contest. Caden Powell ended the run for a 19-13 contest at the 7:55 mark of the opening frame. UNLV made it a nine-point contest, but a quick 5-0 run by the Pokes made it a 22-18 game thanks to a triple from Griffin and layup from Wenzel.
UNLV would push their lead to double digits at 31-21 with under two minutes left in the half. Griffin added a pair of free throws with the Runnin’ Rebels taking a 31-23 lead into the half. Wyoming was held to 32 percent from the floor in the opening frame.
The Cowboys would open the half cold and the Runnin’ Rebels responded opening the half 4-of-5 from the field for a 39-23 advantage in the first four plus minutes. The Pokes got the first basket of the half at the 12:44 mark for a 42-25 contest.
The Runnin’ Rebels took a 48-25 lead on the Pokes, Wyoming made it a 48-29 contest halfway through the second half. Manaywu and Walters added a pair of and-one plays to cap a 10-0 run for a 48-35 game with under eight minutes left.
UNLV hit a pair of corner threes to push the lead back up. Wenzel got to double-figures with a triple for a 56-42 game with under four minutes left. The Pokes would battle but would fall in the end 62-48.
UNLV was led by Dedan Thomas Jr with 14 points. Keylan Boone also added 14 points on the night for the Runnin’ Rebels.
The Cowboys return home on Tuesday hosting No. 19 New Mexico in the Arena-Auditorium for a 6:30 p.m. start.
University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players
Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com
- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players