Wyoming Basketball Blows Out UMES

Luke Martinez shot a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, including 5-for-5 from beyond the arc in route to a career-high 18 points, to lead the Wyoming Cowboys to their second win in the Jim Thorpe Classic, 73-43, over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday in Laramie.

Wyoming started the game on a 13-2 run highlighted by Martinez' 4-point play. The Cowboys followed with a 14-0 run and led 36-17 with 4:51 left in the first half. The Pokes led 45-21 at halftime, thanks to 57 percent shooting.

At halftime, we had a comfortable lead and I talked to the team about where their focus needed to be in the second half. I told them they needed to try and build on that 24-point lead.
-Head Coach Larry Shyatt

In the first 5 1/2 minutes, Wyoming increased its advantage to 33 points, at 61-28, on an Afam Muojeke jumper which came shortly after back-to-back 3's from Martinez. But the Cowboys would go nearly nine minutes without making another field goal, as play got ragged. UW held the Hawks scoreless in the final 4:27 to secure the easy win.

Martinez added 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals to his career-high in points. The only shot he missed in the game was from the free throw line, where he was 1-of-2. Pako Cruz added 10 points while Muojeke had 9 points in 13 minutes of action. The Cowboys (5-1) shot 50 percent from the field, going 25-of-50, and were 16-of-20 from the charity stripe. They also forced 21 turnovers from UMES (1-6) and held them to 35.4 percent shooting.

Play in the Jim Thorpe Classic will conclude on Sunday with Wyoming playing Louisiana Tech (2-2) at 7 p.m. in the Arena Auditorium.