Las Vegas, Nevada (Feb. 3, 2024) - The Wyoming Cowboy offense faltered in a disappointing 62-48 defeat against UNLV on Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, marking a setback in their Mountain West campaign. Shooting just 35 percent from the field, the Pokes dropped to 12-10 overall and 5-4 in the Mountain West conference.
Head coach Jeff Linder acknowledged the challenge of playing against a formidable opponent on their home turf, stating, “It is really hard to win on the road and against a talented team... When we have open looks, we have to knock them down.”
Freshman standout Cam Manyawu led the Wyoming charge with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Brendan Wenzel contributed 12 points, marking his third consecutive game scoring in double figures. Mason Walters also made a significant impact with six points and a season-high 13 rebounds, tying a season-best performance for a Cowboy.
Wyoming’s offensive struggles were evident as they posted a season-low 35 percent shooting percentage in a Mountain West game, including a dismal 16 percent from beyond the arc. In contrast, UNLV capitalized on their offensive opportunities, shooting 44 percent from the field and sinking eight three-pointers. Despite Wyoming's efforts on the boards, outrebounding UNLV 42-31, they were unable to convert those possessions into points.
The game started promisingly for Wyoming, with Akuel Kot initiating a 4-0 lead with early buckets. However, UNLV quickly responded with an 8-0 run to seize an 8-4 advantage. The first half saw a back-and-forth battle, with Wyoming tying the game at 11-11 midway through the period. Nevertheless, UNLV gained momentum, going on an 8-0 run to establish a 19-11 lead.
Despite Wyoming's efforts to stay within reach, UNLV maintained control, entering halftime with a 31-23 lead. The second half saw UNLV extend their lead, capitalizing on Wyoming's cold shooting to establish a commanding 48-25 advantage. Wyoming mounted a late comeback attempt, sparked by a 10-0 run, but ultimately fell short as UNLV emerged victorious with a final score of 62-48.
UNLV’s Dedan Thomas Jr. and Keylan Boone led the way with 14 points each, contributing to their team's victory.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys aim to bounce back as they return home to face the No. 19 ranked New Mexico Lobos on Tuesday at the Arena-Auditorium, with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
*Stats and info from a UW Press Release were used to compose this article.
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