Cowboys battle to last second for win

University of Nevada at Las Vegas entered the Arena-Auditorium ranked 11th in the nation, and it had been 12 years since the University of Wyoming upset a top 25 ranked team. On Saturday, all that changed.

Wyoming upset UNLV 68–66 Saturday afternoon in front of 7,921 fans who showed up to cheer on the Pokes in the Double-A.

“This is why you play college basketball,” senior Adam Waddell said in the post game press conference.

“I don’t know if there is a coach who could be more proud of their guys,” head coach Larry Shyatt said. “This was the closest the crowd has been to 14 years ago in terms of energy.”

The first half began with a UNLV dunk off their first possession of the game, but was quickly answered by UW who scored the next five points. The two teams continued to swap buckets until the 15 minute mark, when the Cowboys put together a 12–2 run in the next five minutes to push the score to 21–13 in the Pokes favor. The two teams swapped a pair of buckets before UNLV put together an 8–2 run of their own, tying the game at 27 a piece.

With 1:09 left in the first half, and the Cowboys trailing by one, redshirt junior Luke Martinez and Waddell combined to score the last seven points of the half to help the Cowboys take a 42–36 lead into the half.

Wyoming had four players score in double digits in the first half, led by Martinez who had 12 points on four three-point field goals. Redshirt junior Leonard Washington, senior Francisco Cruz, and Waddell all chipped in with 10 points apiece. The Cowboys shot 54.2 percent from the field in the first half, including five three point baskets but gave up a 63.6 shooting percentage to UNLV, who was led by Oscar Bellfield with 10 points.

The second half began with both teams swapping baskets and free throws, but UNLV slowly began chipping away at Wyoming’s six-point halftime lead. With 10:47 left in the game, UNLV took their first lead since 2:05 left in the first half.

On the very next possession, Waddell sunk a 12-foot jump shot to regain the lead for the Cowboys. With 1:08 remaining in the game, JayDee Luster made a free throw to push the lead to four for Wyoming. UNLV answered on their next possession with a dunk. After a missed shot by Martinez, UNLV had the ball with 25 seconds left in the game.

Wyoming finished the game shooting 45.8 percent (22–48) from the field and added 17 of 20 from the free throw line. Washington and Cruz both finished the game with 16 points apiece while Martinez and Waddell added in 15 and 14 points respectively.

Shyatt said the players should enjoy this win, but will have to go back to work in a day or two.

Wyoming has a week off to prepare for New Mexico on Saturday Feb. 11 in Albuquerque, NM. The Cowboys look to avenge a 62–72 loss to New Mexico on Jan. 14 in Laramie.

The game is schedule to tip off at 1:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted on The MTN Sports Network.