Wyoming
Cowgirls thrash Broncos 79-45
LARAMIE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Cowgirls put together a dominant performance Saturday afternoon, as they played arguably their most-complete game of the season in a 79-45 romp over Boise State.
Allyson Fertig and Emily Mellema both scored 22 points in the rout, and the 34-point margin of victory is the most for ever the Cowgirls against Boise State.
The two strong defensive teams flexed their defensive prowess to begin the contest as Wyoming got five of the first six hoops of the game to take an early 10-2 lead. Boise State responded, however, cutting the score down to 10-7. Following a timeout, Fertig scored six points and Kati Ollilainen added a spinning layup to fall to push the UW advantage back up to 18-7.
After a Mellema coast-to-coast steal-and-score, the Wyoming lead was 20-7 after one quarter of play. The Cowgirls’ first 24 points from field goals all came inside the paint Saturday.
After UW got the first hoop of the second quarter, the two teams started trading scores. As the quarter began to wear on, turnovers began to hurt Wyoming’s efficient offense. Back to back layups got the lead up to 15, at 32-17, with a little over three minutes left in the half.
The swarming Cowgirl defense and back-to-back 3-pointers from Malene Pedersen and Mellema forced a Boise State timeout with just under two minutes remaining in the quarter as UW’s lead grew to 38-20. Wyoming led 38-21 at the break.
The Cowgirls’ efficient offense continued to open the second half as they ogt up by as many as 21 to open the third quarter. After a McKinley Dickerson layup, Boise State called a timeout with about six and a half minutes left in the third as the Wyoming lead ballooned to 46-25. After the timeout, the Cowgirl onslaught continued as they led by 26 after a Dickerson 3-pointer.
The deficit remained relatively unchanged to open the fourth quarter as the Cowgirls led 63-36 with under seven minutes to play. After a pair of pull-up jumpers from Emily Mellema and then a three from the senior, the Wyoming advantage surpassed the 30-point mark.
Mellema’s personal run reached nine-straight, and was then followed by a Fertig layup that capped the incredible game for the Cowgirls. The Brown & Gold led 76-38 when the reserves came in for the final 3:45.
“I think this is one of the best games we’ve played as far as stringing together four quarters,” head coach Heather Ezell said. “I think that’s some of the best execution I’ve seen from us, defensive-wise. But really, on both ends, that was some pretty good basketball we put together for 40 minutes.”
Wyoming shot 55.6% from the floor and hit four of 11 from 3-point range. Boise State shot a season-low 30.5% and went just one of eight from beyond the arc.
In addition to their 22 points each, Fertig and Mellema combined to shoot 19-of-27 from the floor. Mellema had four steals defensively, while Fertig pulled down 17 rebounds in the win. Pedersen closed the game with 15 points and five assists, while Ola Ustowska and Tess Barnes had six and four assists, respectively.
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Wyoming
Point spread, betting odds for Boise State men’s basketball vs. Wyoming
The Boise State men’s basketball team evened its Mountain West record last weekend with a dominant 84-69 home victory over San Jose State.
The Broncos (16-11, 8-8) held the Spartans (7-20, 2-14) to 4 of 23 shooting from beyond the arc.
“I thought we had some great moments, and our three-point defense seemed a lot better,” Boise State head coach Leon Rice said. “That’s something we’ve been really emphasizing and working on, and it’s something we still have to continue to grow at. But it’s February and you get a conference win by (15) at home, that’s great. And that’s where you have to celebrate because you’re seeing the ups and downs of college basketball.
“It’s hard to win in February, that’s what we always say. To get the job done like that … I’m pleased with that.”
The Broncos will go for their second straight MWC victory on Tuesday against Wyoming. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Mountain time at ExtraMile Arena.
Back in January, Boise State blasted the Cowboys in Laramie, 81-65.
The Broncos are favored by 8.5 points in Tuesday’s rematch. Boise State is -430 on the moneyline while Wyoming is +330.
The over/under is set at 146.5 points.
The Cowboys are coming off a stunning 70-65 road victory over Grand Canyon (17-10, 10-6). The Lopes dominated both matchups against Boise State.
“It’s momentum, what a great win,” Rice said. “For them to go get that done—not only the atmosphere, but Grand Canyon is a really, really good team—what a great win for Wyoming that was.
“They looked great in that game, the way they guarded and rebounded. They made crucial shots in tough circumstances. … You’re seeing that throughout the league where ‘This team shouldn’t be playing this good because they’ve lost those games.’ That’s what you’re seeing over and over again.”
Guards Leland Walker (14.5 points, three rebounds, 3.6 assists) and Nasir Meyer (13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists) are Wyoming’s top offensive threats.
The Broncos are led by junior center Drew Fielder, who averages 14.3 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Boise State vs. Wyoming betting odds, TV channel
Spread: Boise State -8.5
Moneyline: Boise State -430, Wyoming +330
Over/under: 146.5 points
Records against the spread: Boise State 13-12, Wyoming 12-14
Game time: 7 p.m. Mountain time | Tuesday, Feb. 24
Location: ExtraMile Arena | Boise, Idaho
TV channel: Mountain West Network
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Wyoming
Wyoming Energy Authority Releases Coal Study
The Wyoming Energy Authority (WEA) released a comprehensive study assessing the Wyoming coal value chain, including supply and demand, offshore exports, and the regulatory barriers and reforms needed to maintain a viable, long-term thermal coal market for Wyoming.
Commissioned by the Wyoming Energy Authority and prepared by Energy Ventures Analysis, Inc., and its subcontractors, the Energy Policy Network and WWC Engineering. The study evaluates current production levels, reserve availability, domestic and international demand outlooks, and the regulatory landscape affecting Wyoming coal. The report also examines offshore export potential and federal leasing and permitting processes that influence future Wyoming production.
Coal remains a cornerstone of Wyoming’s economy and a critical component of national energy security. Wyoming produces roughly forty percent of the nation’s thermal coal demand and continues to supply affordable, reliable fuel to power plants and industrial users across the country. The study provides updated data on production trends in the Powder River Basin and the Green River Basin, as well as long-range demand modeling under multiple policy and market scenarios.
The study highlights the evolving national conversation and the current administration’s support for grid reliability due to increased public power demand, industrial growth through reshoring of manufacturing and data centers, and the role dispatchable energy sources, such as coal and natural gas, play in maintaining power stability and affordability. It also evaluates federal coal leasing trends, mine reserve replacement, and the regulatory framework shaping future production.
In addition to domestic demand, the study reviews global coal markets and export opportunities. It assesses transportation logistics, port capacity, and cost competitiveness in Asian markets, where coal demand continues to influence global supply chains.
The Wyoming Coal Study reflects Wyoming’s continued commitment to responsible resource development, regulatory engagement, and long-term economic resilience.
The full 2026 Wyoming Coal Study is available at wyoenergy.org/reports.
Wyoming
Coal Seam Fires May Be Burning In Northeast Wyoming
The Bureau of Land Management Buffalo Field Office is notifying the public of the presence of actively burning coal seam fires in Northern Campbell and Eastern Sheridan Counties.
Although these fires may be visible from the surface and/or from a distance (county roads and highways), they do not always constitute a threat or lead to wildland fires.
Coal seam fires are typically smoldering at or below the surface, with little to no open flame.
They spread very slowly, even on windy days. Continuous reporting of these active coal seam fires can overwhelm 911 Dispatch Centers and Casper Interagency Dispatch Center, which can hamper response to actual emergencies.
If coal seam fires are observed, and are not actively spreading to surface wildland fuels, please do not contact 911 or Casper Interagency Dispatch.
If there is an active wildfire observed, it is appropriate to call it in.
Please be able to provide some basic information such as the location, estimated size, fuel it is burning is (grass/sage vs. Juniper or Timber), and if there’s any valuables at risk to include homes, energy infrastructure, livestock, etc.
If you have any questions pertaining to this, please feel free to contact BLM Wyoming State Office Public Affairs at BLM_WY_912@blm.gov or by phone at (307) 775-6328.
If you know of a coal seam fire on BLM administered lands and have not reported it to the BLM, please email the location information, including any collected GIS data, to BLM_WY_Buffalo_WYMail@blm.gov.
Active burning coal seams can create serious hazards for bystanders and responders:
POTENTIAL HAZARDS:
· Unstable ground – sloughing and potential surface collapse.
· Hot surface areas – ground temperatures may be high enough to burn skin or ignite vegetation.
· Hidden openings or fissures- cracks or vents releasing heat or smoke.
· Toxic or irritating gases – carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other gases may accumulate in low areas.
· Wildfire risk – surface ignition possible during dry conditions.
What should I do? –STAY ON DESIGNATED ROADS AND TRAILS:
· Follow all closures and posted warnings.
· Do not approach steaming ground, vents, or smoke.
· Keep children and pets close.
· Report spreading vegetation fires immediately.
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