(Wyoming release)
LARAMIE, Wyo. – The Cowboys return to the friendly confines of the Arena-Auditorium on Saturday hosting Colorado State at 2 p.m. for the first meeting between the ‘Border War’ rivals this season. The Pokes have been solid at home this season recording an 8-1 record in the ‘Dome of Doom’.
Saturday’s game can be seen on CBS Sports Network with Rich Waltz on the call and Pete Gillen on color. Fans can listen to the game and follow live stats on GoWyo.com. The game will be broadcast live on radio over the 25 affiliate stations of the Cowboy Sports Network. Dave Walsh will have the play-by-play alongside Kevin McKinney on the color.
A Look at the Matchup
The Pokes fell to 11-6 overall and 2-2 in Mountain West play after Wednesday’s loss to New Mexico 75-66 on the road. The Pokes are second in the MW and No. 18 in the nation with 298 made free throws. The Pokes are shooting 74 percent from the free throw line for third in the conference and No. 58 in the nation.
The Cowboys are shooting 44 percent from the field for the season. The Pokes are averaging 8.4 three pointers per game and have hit a triple in 281-straight games. Wyoming is averaging 14.2 turnovers per game, but forcing opponents to 14.9 per night.
The Rams are 9-9 overall and 2-3 in conference play after defeating Utah State 84-75 in Logan on Wednesday. The Rams are third in the MW and No. 40 in the nation with 672 rebounds this season. The Rams average 37.3 boards per game with 11.7 coming on the offensive end of the floor for third in the league.
Colorado State is shooting 41 percent from the field for No. 11 in the MW. Opponents are shooting 45 percent from the field and 36 percent from behind the three point line. The Rams are fourth in the conference and No. 29 in the nation with 286 made free throws.
Each Team’s Leaders
The Cowboys are led in scoring by junior guard Justin James. He is averaging 17.8 points per game for sixth in the MW. He scored a career-high 31 points on Wednesday at New Mexico. He has topped his career-best in scoring in two of the last three games. He also adds 6.1 rebounds per game and is tied for second on the team with 44 assists.
Senior forward Hayden Dalton adds 17.0 points per game and leads the team grabbing 8.1 rebounds per night. He is ninth in the MW in scoring and sixth in the league in rebounding. Senior Alan Herndon adds 12.1 points per game and 6.8 boards. He is the MW’s active leader in blocks with 152 in his career. Senior guard Louis Adams adds 10.0 points per game off the UW bench.
The Rams are led in scoring by guard Prentiss Nixon at 18.0 points per game connecting on 48 three pointers. He ranks fifth in the MW in scoring and leads the league shooting 88 percent from the free throw line. Fellow guard J.D. Paige adds 10 points per game and leads the team with 46 assists. Forward Nico Carvacho leads the Rams in rebounding at 8.4 per game for fifth in the MW.
About the Series
Saturday’s game is the 227th edition of the ‘Border War’ in a series that dates back to 1911. The Rams took both meetings last season with the Pokes winning the previous five matchups.
