LARAMIE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Cowboys could not find an offensive rhythm in a 79–63 loss to Colorado State on Saturday. The Pokes were held to 39.7% from the field in the contest and knocked down only five 3-pointers on the night.
“I wrote two things on the board for our guys, and it was physicality and toughness, and you have to punch, not counter-punch,” UW head coach Sundance Wick said. “We missed physical finishes and did not make tough stops in big moments. We have to have a commitment to defending, rebounding and keeping the flow and that job is open for seven or eight guys.”
The Pokes were led by Obi Agbim’s 26 points, marking his sixth game this season with at least 20 points. He also tied his season-best with six rebounds.
Dontaie Allen recorded 14 points, tying a season-high for his fourth game in double figures. He was 3-of-5 from behind the arc.
The Rams used the paint to build a quick 6–0 lead in the first two minutes of the contest. However, Wyoming responded with buckets from Agbim and Cole Henry. Abou Magassa added and and-one play to cap a 7–0 run for the Pokes, giving UW a slight lead about three minutes into the first frame.
The Rams continued the hot shooting, pushing their lead to 14–9 a few minutes later. Wyoming went scoreless for over three minutes, with the Rams taking a 22–15 lead halfway through the half.
Colorado State would later go on a 6–0 run to take a 28–17 lead, though the run was stopped by an Allen layup with just under six minutes left in the half. CSU hit a pair of three pointers to build a 36–21 lead, but the Pokes closed the half on a 7–0 run.
The Pokes got to within 6 points in the early goings of the second half, but the Rams pushed the lead back to 11 points using the offensive glass and defensive pressure.
Wyoming made a comeback effort, forcing Ram turnovers and holding CSU scoreless for over three minutes, cutting the deficit to just 45–42. However, the Rams notched two threes to build the lead to 51–42 with 13 minutes left. Agbim and Allen added triples during the run, along with a bucket from Oleg Kojenets.
The Rams pushed the lead back to double digits halfway through the half, with the Pokes struggling from the field. Wyoming trailed by as many as 13 points. They managed to slow Colorado State’s offense as the game waned, but were unable to seriously cut into the Rams’ lead.