LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Cowgirls’ Mountain West quarterfinals matchup against the Air Force Academy ended in disaster for the Falcons, as Wyoming seemed totally incapable of missing a shot. Whether it was by Fertig in the paint, Mellema from mid-range or Pedersen and Barnes from the perimeter, the ball was sinking for the Cowgirls and they won 77–64.
That isn’t hyperbole, either. The Cowgirls’ shooting percentage tonight — an unbelievable 60.38% — is the highest ever in Mountain West championship tournament history. There really weren’t any glaring weak spots in the Cowgirls’ offense or defense, either.
Mountain West Player of the Year Allyson Fertig led the charge with 22 blocks and 13 rebounds, while her partner in crime Malene Pedersen made 18 further out. Fertig attempted zero three-pointers tonight.
Defensively, Emily Mellema reminded the Vegas crowd why she was the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. Alongside putting up 15 points, she made away with three steals and really put the clamps down on any attempt at an Air Force comeback.
Wyoming’s best quarter was clearly the third. The girls were 9–10 from the field and a perfect 4–4 from three. Those were courtesy of Mellema and Pedersen and twice from the Australian assassin Tess Barnes. She would score 15 tonight.
By comparison, Air Force shot at 48.21% overall and 36.84% — not terrible, but certainly easy pickings for a Wyoming team that seems destined to make a finals run this week.
The first real test awaits Wyoming, however. Tomorrow, the Cowgirls will face the winner of tonight’s Colorado State–Fresno State game. Colorado State has the third seed spot in the tournament and is no team to sneeze at, but the Cowgirls did just pull off a huge comeback win against the squad in home territory for the first time in five years just a few weeks ago.
To see play-by-play information on tonight’s Cowgirls game or to watch the game after the fact, see the Mountain West website.
