Wyoming Takes On Air Force For The First Time in MW Action
After a week off, both Wyoming basketball teams return to the court Wednesday for a conference game against the Air Force Falcons.
The Cowgirls play at home against the Falcons at 6:30 p.m. in the Arena-Auditorium.
The Cowboys are at Air Force in Clune Arena. Their game starts at 7 p.m.
Wyoming Cowgirls
Wyoming has won three straight games and comes off a big road win last Wednesday at Fresno State. They look to keep their momentum at home versus Air Force, a team UW has dominated in Laramie. At home, the Cowgirls are 26-0 all-time against the Falcons.
Head coach Joe Legerski is always concerned about Air Force and feels their continuing to progress under head coach Chris Gobrecht, who is in her fourth year.
“I really do. They’re at 4-6 in conference play right now and playing very well. Their best players are young players, led by two sophomores and a freshman.”
Legerski is referring to Kaelin Immel, Emily Conroe, and Riley Snyder. Immel averages 13 points per game, while Conroe is at 9.6 per game. Snyder chips in 10.5 points per game.
“This program’s just going to keep making it difficult, as most programs in our league are, and you’re going to have better years than in other years, but Air Force is definitely on an upswing.”
Wyoming (12-5, 5-3) has held their last three opponents to under 60 points in their win streak.
Air Force (8-13, 4-6) is coming off a 55-48 road loss at Colorado State last Saturday.
In their last meeting, the Falcons beat UW 57-47 in Colorado Springs last February. That snapped a 25-game losing streak for Air Force in the series.
Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. KOWB (AM 1290) will broadcast the Cowgirls game starting at 6 p.m.
Wyoming Cowboys
For the first time in two years, the Wyoming Cowboys play at Air Force tonight. They haven’t been to Clune Arena since Feb. 4, 2017, after they faced the Falcons once last season and that was in Laramie.
Both teams have lost their last two games entering tonight.
Wyoming (5-16, 1-7) fell to Boise State and Fresno State in recent action.
Air Force (9-13, 4-6) is coming off losses to San Diego State and Colorado State. The Falcons are 7-4 at home this season.
Cowboys’ head coach Allen Edwards calls this Air Force team a mature group.
“Most of these guys are juniors. Their freshman point guard (A.J. Walker) is going to be a really good player, already is, but really gonna be a good player in our league.”
Juniors Lavelle Scottie and Ryan Swan lead the Falcons in scoring at 13.8 and 11.6 points per game, respectively.
Edwards added, “I wouldn’t say this the old school Air Force, in a sense of, slow down and ball control. I think they’re very disciplined, that if they need to they’ll do that and take advantage of you late (in the shot clock), but if you give them something early, within transition or within their half court, they’re more than willing to take advantage of it.”
Wyoming is led by Justin James. The senior leads the MW at 19.9 points per game. He’s also top seven in rebounding at 8.8 and assists at 4.1 per game.
Tonight could see the return of junior guard Jake Hendricks. He’s been out since a knee injury suffered Dec. 22 at UTEP. He was averaging 11.4 points per game. If he plays and how much will be a game-time decision.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. KCGY (FM 95.1) will air the Cowboys game with coverage at 6:30 p.m.