Cowboy Offense Struggles in Loss at Texas Tech

Pokes host Utah Tech on Saturday evening

LUBBOCK, Texas (Nov. 13, 2024) – The Cowboy offense struggled to find rhythm in a 96-49 loss to Texas Tech on Wednesday evening in the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. The Red Raiders, who were receiving votes in both the Associated Press and Coaches’ poll held Wyoming to 26 percent from the field in the first half.

“There is no playbook for turnovers and when you have pressure you have to defeat it,” UW head coach Sundance Wicks said.  “The turnovers were a big thing, and it wasn’t good enough. This is a team loss tonight and at the end of the day and we need to learn from this. We have to be able to think and play.”

Wyoming was led in scoring by guard Obi Agbim with 15 points marking his third-straight game in double-figures and marking the 46th time in his career. Touko Tainamo added nine points for the Cowboys and Kobe Newton added eight. Cole Henry led Wyoming with six rebounds.

Wyoming was held to 34 percent from the field for the night and were outrebounded by the Red Raiders 35-29. Texas Tech shot 64 percent from the field and 56 percent from behind the arc. TTU added 40 points off turnovers, as UW recorded a season-high 25 on the night.

The Red Raiders jumped out to an early 8-3 lead on the Cowboys in the opening two minutes. The Pokes answered with threes from Tainamo and Newton for a 9-8 lead for the Pokes with under 17 minutes left in the first half.

After the surge by Wyoming, Texas Tech went on 8-0 run for a 16-9 lead. The Pokes went without a field goal for over five minutes with the Red Raiders. The Cowboy offense went on a drought with TTU building a 32-13 lead with under 10 minutes left in the opening half holding Wyoming without a bucket for over eight minutes. TTU took a 46-20 lead into the half holding Wyoming to 26 percent from the field. 

Agbim got to double-figures early in the second half, but Texas tech continued the offensive trend and would take a 55-28 lead in the early goings of the half. A.J. Wills would add a three pointer, the third of the game for UW for a 63-36 lead nearly halfway through the second half. Texas Tech would continue the pressure on the Pokes and took the contest.

Texas Tech was led by former New Mexico player JT Toppin recording a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Chris McMillian added 16 points going 3-of-3 from behind the arc.

The Cowboys return to the Arena-Auditorium on Saturday hosting Utah Tech in a 7p.m. start.