Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
LARAMIE – The University of Wyoming men's basketball team found out first hand why Nevada is the No. 7-ranked team in the country.
UW didn't have many defensive answers, and couldn't generate nearly enough offense in an 82-49 loss in front of 5,287 at the Arena-Auditorium on Saturday night.
UW fell to 6-19 overall and 2-10 in the MW. It was the Cowboys most lopsided loss of the season, and third time in conference play they lost by 30 or more points.
UW had a season-low in points, shot a season-low 30 percent from the field (15 of 50), and its 15 made baskets were its second lowest this season.
Nevada (24-1, 11-1) won its 10th consecutive game, and has won by 20-plus points during that winning streak.
"That's a really good basketball team and a well-coached basketball team," third-year UW coach Allen Edwards said. "They play well together. I look at them and don't see a selfish bone in any of their kids. They played hard at both ends of the floor and made it tough for us to do a lot of things."
In the first half, poor shooting and turnovers hurt the Cowboys. UW shot 27.3 percent (6 of 22), and missed seven layups. It also had 10 turnovers that led to 17 Nevada points. Nevada shot 50 percent (14 of 28) during the first half, made eight of its first 10 shots and its first three 3-pointers. The Wolf Pack led by as many as 17, held UW without a basket for nearly a five-minute stretch and led 36-20 at halftime.
The turnovers weren't as big of a factor in the second half, but Nevada kept up its torrid shooting and UW continued to struggle on both ends of the court. UW trailed by as many as 36 points in the second half. Nevada made nine layups or dunks in the second half, 14 in the game and outscored UW 38-18 in the paint.
Senior guard Justin James and true freshman guard Trevon "T.J." Taylor led UW with 16 and 13 points, respectively. James averaged 28 points and shot 53 percent from 3-point range over the previous three games. He was 4 of 16 from the field and 0 of 7 from behind the arc.
UW averaged 12 3-pointers over its last three games, but was 6 of 24 in this one.
The Cowboys struggles started with the energy they came out with, James said.
"Most of us were trying to encourage energy and effort and those are the last two things you need to do," he said. "I'm not sure why, and it is definitely surprising with the talent (in Nevada) coming into this gym. You would expect the energy to be at an all-time high, but for some reason it wasn't.
"We gave them anything they wanted. It is hard to win games when your opponent is getting dunks and open 3s."
Edwards didn't think his team lacked energy and effort, but said: "Nevada had more of it and they were able to make us uncomfortable."
Eight of the 10 players who saw time in the game for Nevada scored, and five scored in double figures. Senior forward Trey Porter had 14 points. Senior forward Jordan Caroline and senior guard Caleb Martin had 13 points apiece.
UW's next game is at 8 p.m. Tuesday against UNLV (14-11, 8-5). The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. UW lost at UNLV 68-56 on Jan. 5.
"I guarantee when we come out Tuesday it will be a lot better," James said.
Free throws
The Cowboys are 34-124 all-time against ranked foes, and 11-14 at the A-A. ... UW still leads the series with Nevada 14-7 and is 8-4 against the Wolf Pack at home. ... James played in his 124th game for UW, which is tied for ninth-most in school history with Adam Waddell (2009-12). ... James moved into seventh place in career free throws made at UW with 473. ... Taylor has scored in double figures seven times this season.
NEVADA 82, WYOMING 49
Nevada: Thurman 3-7 5-6 11, Porter 5-7 4-5 14, Caroline 6-12 0-2 13, Ca. Martin 5-9 1-2 13, Co. Martin 4-5 0-0 9, Henson 0-2 0-0 0, Zouzoua 1-3 1-2 4, Cunningham 0-0 0-0 0, Brown 3-6 0-0 6, Johnson 4-6 0-0 12. Totals: 31-57 11-17 82.
Wyoming: Thompson 0-2 0-0 0, Taylor 4-10 4-4 13, Hendricks 2-8 0-0 6, James 4-16 8-11 16, Banks 2-5 1-2 6, Young 3-6 0-1 8, Porter 0-0 0-0 0, Naughton 0-3 0-0 0, Henry 0-0 0-0 0, Fornstrom 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-50 13-18 49.
Halftime: UNR 36, UW 20. 3-pointers: UNR 9-23 (Johnson 4-5, Ca. Martin 2-6 Co. Martin 1-2, Zouzooua 1-2, Caroline 1-4, Henson 0-1, Thurman 0-3), UW 6-24 (Young 2-3, Hendricks 2-6, Taylor 1-3, Banks 1-4, Thompson 0-1, James 0-7). Rebounds: UNR 40 (Thurman 12), UW 28 (Taylor 8, James 7). Assists: UNR 14 (Co. Martin 4), UW 7 (James 4). Steals: UNR 7 (seven players with 1), UW 6 (James 2, Banks 2). Blocked shots: UNR 2 (Co. Martin, Brown), UW 1 (Young). Turnovers: UNR 13 (Brown 3, Johnson 3), UW 16 (Hendricks 3, James 3, Naughton 3). Team fouls: UNR 17, UW 19. Fouled out: UW 2 (Naughton, Thompson). Technical fouls: UNR 1 (Porter), UW 1 (Thompson).
Attendance: 5,287.
