A Tough Home Opener for the Cowboys Against Grand Canyon
On a chilly December afternoon in Laramie, Wyoming, the Wyoming Cowboys faced off against the formidable Grand Canyon Lopes in a much-anticipated matchup at the Arena-Auditorium. Expectations were high after the Cowboys’ strong start to the season, but as the final score of 82-70 would reflect, reality proved to be quite different. This game marked the Cowboys’ first home loss of the season, bringing their overall record to 9-3 and placing them at 0-1 in conference play.
Slow Start Haunts Wyoming
Wyoming stumbled out of the gate, with Grand Canyon quickly taking control. The Lopes seized an 18-3 lead before the Cowboys found any rhythm, leaving fans scratching their heads. The Broncos struggled to find their shooting touch, shooting a dismal 37% from the field and an eye-popping 12% from three-point range— a stark contrast to Grand Canyon’s impressive shot performance of 57% from the floor and 39% from beyond the arc.
Head Coach Sundance Wicks acknowledged the team’s slow start, saying, "We came out a little gun-shy tonight. It is a big learning curve for us.” The Cowboys’ performance highlighted the importance of being ready from the opening tip-off in a competitive conference like the Mountain West.
Key Contributors for Wyoming
Despite the loss, several Cowboys had notable individual performances that stood out in a difficult game. Freshman guard Nasir (Naz) Meyer led the scoring for Wyoming with 12 points, marking his fourth consecutive game in double figures. He also contributed six rebounds, showcasing his growing confidence and presence on the court. Veteran guard Leland Walker added to the scoreboard with 13 points, achieving his milestone of 61 career games scoring ten or more points.
Additionally, forward Kiani Saxon enjoyed a personal best, contributing six points while Abou Magassa turned in a solid performance with nine points and five rebounds, including an impressive dunk that energized the crowd and his teammates.
Dueling Runs Define the Game
The game was punctuated by runs that swung momentum in different directions. After Wyoming managed a brief glimmer of hope by ending a scoring drought with a three-point shot from Saxon, the Lopes responded with a relentless onslaught. They capitalized on turnovers and built up their lead to 27-8, marking a 16-0 run that left Wyoming scrambling.
Wyoming briefly held the Lopes without a field goal for over four minutes, but without consistent scoring of their own, they went into halftime trailing 45-26. The Lopes’ defensive prowess, combined with their ability to convert turnovers into quick points, had set a daunting challenge for the Cowboys.
A Fightback That Fell Short
The second half saw Wyoming attempt to rally, beginning with a 7-2 run that closed the gap to 47-33. However, Grand Canyon’s ability to maintain their sharp shooting continued to thwart the Cowboys’ efforts. Even as Wyoming managed to keep the Lopes from scoring for several minutes, the deficit remained substantial.
As the clock wound down, Wyoming made a late push, fueled by a 6-0 run and culminating in a soaring dunk from Magassa to make it 62-56. Meyer continued to deliver with timely baskets, bringing the Cowboys to within striking distance at 67-54 with just seven minutes left in the game. Still, the Pokes could not convert enough opportunities to turn the game around, and Grand Canyon ultimately secured their victory.
Grand Canyon’s Star Performers
The Lopes were led by Makiah Williams, who scored 20 points and displayed remarkable efficiency, shooting 6-of-9 from the field. Jaden Henley also made his mark with 18 points, echoing the Lopes’ dynamic offensive strategies that repeatedly found gaps in Wyoming’s defense.
Upcoming Challenges for the Cowboys
Looking ahead, Wyoming will need to regroup and address the issues highlighted in this matchup as they head into their next contest. On December 30, the Cowboys will travel to face the Air Force Falcons at Clune Arena, hoping to bounce back and gain momentum in conference play. With Wicks at the helm, there is a strong belief that the team can learn from this experience and return stronger in upcoming challenges.
