The Wyoming Cowboy basketball team started the week on a pretty low note. The men’s team has been struggling the last few weeks after a disappointing showing in Cancun. On Wednesday the unthinkable happened. The Pokes, who were favored, lost to a division II transitioning team, South Dakota in Vermillion. The Pokes dropped the contest 80-70 in the Dakota Dome, which also doubles as the Coyotes’ football stadium. The Pokes were feeling pretty down after that contest, but they chose to redeem themselves this weekend as they totally dismantled Indiana State in the AA, 81-51, thus helping the MWC win the annual MWC/MVC challenge. Leading the way for the Pokes were Desmar Jackson and Jaydee Luster, who scored a career high 15 points. The Pokes will next play at UC-Irvine on Friday night.
The Wyoming Cowgirls are coming off of a holiday tournament win in Mexico. Their next stop was a date with UC-Irvine. The Cowgirls suffered a bit of a let down as they lost to the Anteaters 65-53. The Cowgirls, like the Cowboys, would go on to rebound over the weekend. Kicking off Saturday’s UW Sports Extravaganza the Cowgirls found a way to pummel the Idaho Vandals in the AA. The Cowgirls took the contest 68-55. Leading the way for the Cowgirls was Chaundra Sewell, making her first career start, who scored 23 points and 8 rebounds. Aubrey Vandiver scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds as well. Up next for the Cowgirls is Westminster on Saturday.
The Cowboy wrestlers went into their first dual of the year against the Nebraska Cornhuskers with high expectations. Last year the Cowboys beat the Huskers in Lincoln. The Pokes were looking to build on that momentum and defeat one of the nations top perennial teams. The Pokes got down early in the dual losing their first two matches. Newcomer, redshirt freshman Tyler Cox of Gillette, got the Pokes on the board by winning the 125 pound match for his seventh win of the season. Nebraska scored an upset when Ridge Kiley got a win over Wyoming’s Michael Martinez, who is currently ranked 16th. Cole Dallaserra kept his winning ways alive with a win, as did Shane Onufer. The Huskers were able to put the dual out of reach after that. The Pokes finished the dual with a win from #2 Joe LeBlanc, who’s fresh off of an offseason surgery. LeBlanc scored a win in overtime with a quick takedown of #10 Josh Ihnen. The Pokes will be on the mat on Dec. 16 in Casper at Erickson Thunderbird Gym vs. Oregon State.
The Mountain West will be well represented in the bowls this year as TCU, Utah, BYU, Air Force, and San Diego State all received bowl bids. TCU will play Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. Utah will play future MWC member Boise State in Las Vegas. BYU will face off with UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl. Air Force will play Georgia Tech in the Independence Bowl, and San Diego State will play Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl. Also representing are future MWC members Nevada and Fresno State. Nevada will play Boston College in San Francisco, and Fresno State will play Northern Illinois in the Humanitarian Bowl.
Go Pokes!