LARAMIE, Wyo. (Feb. 3, 2024) – In a hard-fought battle at the Arena-Auditorium, the Wyoming Cowgirls clinched a 59-52 victory over Nevada on Saturday, propelled by crucial contributions from their bench players. The Cowgirl reserves were instrumental, accounting for over a third of the team's scoring with 20 points.
The game began with Wyoming taking an early 6-2 lead, but a five-point surge from the Wolf Pack shifted the momentum in Nevada's favor, granting them a 7-6 lead. Despite resilient defense from both sides, Nevada maintained a slim 16-13 lead after the first quarter.
"That was the definition of an ugly win," remarked head coach Heather Ezell. "They don’t always have to be pretty, but we were able to make some plays when the time was right and pull it out. We played Nevada’s style of play and not our style as much as I wanted to on the offensive end today."
As the second quarter unfolded, Nevada extended their lead as the Cowgirl offense struggled to find its rhythm. However, Wyoming rallied with six consecutive points to narrow the gap to 20-19. The teams battled back and forth, with Wyoming tying the score at 25-25 going into halftime.
The second half mirrored the offensive struggles of the first, with both teams trading points in a defensive showdown. A 5-2 run by the Cowgirls early in the half gave them a narrow three-point lead, but the game remained tightly contested. With Wyoming holding a slim 40-37 lead heading into the fourth quarter, the stage was set for a thrilling finish.
"Defensively, we got stops when we needed to get stops today," Ezell emphasized.
Wyoming seized control in the final quarter, opening with two quick layups to extend their lead to 44-37. Despite Nevada's efforts to rally, timely baskets from the Cowgirls, including a pivotal 3-pointer from Ola Ustowska, helped Wyoming secure a double-digit lead. Strong defensive stops and free throws in the closing minutes sealed the victory for the Cowgirls.
Offensively, Allyson Fertig led the scoring with 12 points, supported by contributions from Maren McKenna, Marta Savic, and Malene Pedersen off the bench. Despite shooting struggles, Wyoming's performance at the free-throw line proved decisive, with McKenna and Pedersen delivering flawless performances.
Looking ahead, the Cowgirls are set to face Utah State at home in the Arena-Auditorium.
*Stats and info from a UW Press Release were used to compose this article.
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