Cowboys and Cowgirls Try For Sweeps of Utah State
Both Wyoming basketball teams are in the same place, as they try to regroup after tough losses in their last game.
The Wyoming Cowboys and Cowgirls will take on the Utah State Aggies in Mountain West action tonight. The Cowboys play in Laramie, while the Cowgirls are in Logan, UT. Both games start at 7 p.m.
Wyoming Cowboys
Wyoming (15-8, 6-4) will be trying to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing 18-point loss to Fresno State.
Head coach Allen Edwards said during his weekly teleconference with the media Tuesday, that they can’t afford to let that game linger with them.
“We just can’t let a loss become a snowball situation.”
As for tonight’s game, the Pokes won the first meeting in Logan on Jan. 20, 85-77.
Utah State (13-11, 6-5) has won three straight game since that game with wins over Air Force, Fresno State and New Mexico.
Edwards knows the Aggies are led by sophomore guards Sam Merrill (15.7 ppg) and Koby McEwen (15.1 ppg).
“What has happened since our last game is other players are playing better now… I think when those other guys are able to come out and do some of the things they’ve done in the last game(s), it makes it harder to do what you want to do on the two guards. I still believe at the end of the day, if you make it tough on those two (Merrill and McEwen), it betters your chances for winning the basketball game.”
A win would keep the Cowboys alone in third place in the MW standings.
Wyoming Cowgirls
Wyoming (14-7, 7-3) will try to snap a two-game skid with a tough road game in Logan tonight.
Cowgirls head coach Joe Legerski has been reflecting on what they’ve done offensively in the last couple of games.
“What I take a look at is how good the shots are. If we’re getting good shots, you go through streaks where you don’t shoot the ball well, and you end up with losses, and that’s just where we’re at now.”
Legerski added he’s still happy with how they’re playing defensively.
The Cowgirls won the first meeting in Laramie, when they pulled away in the second half for a 61-44 victory over the Aggies.
Utah State (5-17, 3-8) has continued to struggle, but did manage to beat the same Fresno State team Wyoming just lost to.
Legerski said, “Now you really realize how good everybody is at home. They’re playing very similar to the way we (UW) play. They’re still searching for a number of players to help contribute, just like we are. They are a team that has great size. They really do a great job on the offensive glass.”
The Aggies average about 11.5 offense rebounds per game.
A road break-through by the Cowgirls would be their fourth so far in MW action this season. It would also keep UW in second in the conference standings behind UNLV, who visits Laramie Saturday.