Cowboys Can’t Find Rhythm in 79-63 Loss to Colorado State

Pokes held to 39.7 percent from the field

LARAMIE, Wyo. (Jan. 18, 2025) – The Wyoming Cowboys could not find an offensive rhythm in a 79-63 loss to Colorado State on Saturday afternoon in the Arena-Auditorium in Laramie. The Pokes were held to 39.7 percent from the field in the contest and knocked down only five three 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 Wicks. “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 held to under 40 percent from the field on the night and 22.7 percent from behind the arc, as UW was leading the conference heading into the game in three-point percentage in conference games. The Rams shot 51.9 percent from the field and knocked down eight three pointers. Colorado State held a 37-28 advantage on the glass.

The Pokes were led by Obi Agbim with 26 points for his sixth game this season with 20 or more points. He also tied a season-high with six rebounds to lead the team. He finished the contest with 10 field goals tying a season high. 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 6-0 lead in the first two minutes of the contest. But Wyoming responded with buckets from Agbim and Cole Henry. Abou Magassa added and and-one play to cap at 7-0 run for the Pokes and a 7-6 lead with under 17 minutes left in the first frame.

The Rams continued the hot shooting pushing the lead to 14-9 with under 14 minutes left in the first half. 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, as the run was stopped by a Allen layup 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 for a 36-28 lead for CSU.

The Pokes pushed the deficit to six points in the early goings of the second half, but the Rams pushed the lead back to 11-points using the offensive glass and defense. Wyoming forced Ram turnovers and held CSU scoreless for over three minutes for a 45-42 game, but the Rams notched two threes to build the lead to 51-42 with 13 minutes left. Agbim and Allen added triples on 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 much as 13 points and held the Rams scoreless for over two-minutes but could cut into the lead.

The Rams would get to the paint late hitting 5-of-7 field goals and would take the first edition of the Border War, 79-63.

The Rams were led by Nique Clifford with 23 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Wyoming heads to Las Vegas on Tuesday for a contest with UNLV in the Thomas & Mack Center at 9 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network.