The Wyoming Cowboys rallied from 17 points down in the first half and beat the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 59-57 Saturday in Laramie.

The Cowboys trailed 22-5 midway through the first half. A 10-0 spurt by UW that featured a pair of 3-pointers from Jason McManamen pulled the Pokes within 22-15. McManamen also knocked down a pair of triples in the final three minutes of the half, while Wyoming also held UNLV to only four points. It was 30-27 Rebels at the break.

An Alexander Aka Gorski 3-pointer gave the Cowboys their first lead early in the second half. After 11 lead changes, a McManamen three with 3:23 left gave UW the lead for good. The Pokes knocked down 8-of-12 free throws in the last 3 minutes and held on for the win.

Wyoming’s defense held UNLV to only three field goals in the last 11 minutes of action.

McManamen led the Cowboys with 17 points, which included a career-high five threes. Jordan Naughton contributed career bests of 11 points and five rebounds, while Aka Gorski also had 11 points and five boards. Josh Adams added 12 points.

Wyoming (9-8, 2-2) won despite shooting a season-low 34 percent. They did go 19-of-27 at the foul line. UW got 28 points from its bench and capitalized with 17 points off 18 Rebels turnovers.

UNLV (9-7, 0-3) was led by Ike Nwamu and Derrick Jones, Jr. with 10 points apiece. The Rebels shot 40 percent from the field, but only 32 percent in the second half. UNLV was only 12-21, 57 percent at the stripe.

The Cowboys next game is at San Jose State Wednesday at 8 p.m., Mountain Time.

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