Wyoming
Colorado State men’s basketball team quiets Wyoming with road win
‘The game is settled on the court’: CSU responds to Wyoming talk with a win
The Colorado State men’s basketball team used Wyoming talk ahead of Border War as motivation before a 16-point win in Laramie for the Rams.
LARAMIE, Wyo. — Wyoming had a lot to say ahead of Saturday’s Border War.
Cowboys men’s basketball coach Sundance Wicks called Colorado State the “Sheep” while saying it was a must-win game. He called Wyoming’s wild win over the Rams in Laramie last season “the greatest comeback in college basketball history.”
Wyoming made a video of a walk-on discussing his favorite memories of games against CSU despite him not appearing on the court in those games.
All fair play in rivalry games, but also fair to say CSU definitely took notice.
The Rams certainly used the talk as motivation and dominated in a 79-63 win over Wyoming at Arena-Auditorium. It snaps a three-game losing streak for CSU at the AA.
“Man, we owed them on (for) last year. We had to come out and get this one. A lot of people was talking before the game, so we just wanted to come out here and prove everyone wrong,” CSU star Nique Clifford said. “It was great motivation for us. There’s nothing better than beating Wyoming, especially on the road.”
CSU seemed to want its play on the floor to be the emphatic response to the talk.
“It’s a focused group,” CSU coach Niko Medved said of the Rams. “You can’t make too much of it because it’s a game, but we spent some time talking about how much they (Wyoming) were putting into the game, how important they said it was for them and reminded ourselves how important it was for us, too, to do that. I really trusted their mindset.”
Here are takeaways from the game.
Interior battle leads CSU
CSU (11-7, 5-2 Mountain West) started the game by hitting its first five shots. The common theme? All of them were in the paint.
The Rams clearly saw something they could exploit inside and made sure to attack the rim. This coming off a loss at San Diego State where 10 of CSU’s first 12 shots were 3-pointers.
CSU is a top-tier two-point shooting team and leaned into it from the start.
Jaylen Crocker-Johnson was efficient in creating space and a constant menace for Wyoming.
“We felt like we had an advantage on the inside. We wanted to not settle, go inside. That’s our mindset to attack the rim when we can and hit the 3’s as they come,” Clifford said. “I think (Crocker-Johnson) did a really good job setting a tone for us.”
Rashaan Mbemba actually missed a couple easy shots inside but had inside presence as well.
CSU built a 15-point first-half lead largely on success inside as 22 of CSU’s 36 first-half points were in the paint.
It was a statement of intent from CSU to physically dominate and the Rams did just that.
CSU finished with 38 points in the paint and shot 67% on 2-pointers.
The Rams also won the rebounding battle 37-28.
Mature handling of Wyoming’s run
Wyoming (9-9, 2-5 MW) struggles to score consistently. Obi Agbim can fill it up, but otherwise the Cowboys struggle to get it in the hoop.
Wyoming is the second-lowest scoring team in the league.
Still, a run was sure to come in a rivalry game.
Sure enough, it did. Wyoming went on a 7-0 surge to end the first half, cutting CSU’s 15-point lead to eight and the break.
Early in the second half, the Cowboys pushed again. Wyoming started the second half 4-4 shooting (all in the paint), then Agbim hit a 3-pointer to cut CSU’s lead to 45-42 and that forced a CSU timeout.
It could have been a problem, especially with ghosts of CSU’s late meltdown here a year ago still in the minds of many.
“I thought the mindset was great. Nique right there (in the timeout) was like, ‘Hey man, alright that’s it. No more runs. This is our run here.’ Again, I thought we came out there and did that,” Medved said.
CSU responded to that run with two 3-pointers of its own (from Kyle Jorgensen and Clifford).
It extended into a 12-2 run, including an Ethan Morton layup and foul. That reestablished a double-digit lead for the Rams and CSU was never threatened again.
Agbim scored 26 points, but the Rams mostly kept him off the 3-point line and Wyoming shot 40% as a team.
Bench and role players step up
There were a number of issues for CSU in a loss Tuesday at San Diego State as the Rams turned the ball over far too often and couldn’t score consistently.
But one of the problems was depth — which has been a CSU strength this season — disappeared. The Rams had just two bench points at San Diego State and those were inconsequential free throws with the game out of hand.
Saturday? The bench and role players shined. No single player had a huge scoring night off the bench, but all contributed.
Bowen Born hit a couple 3-pointers and scored eight points. Morton had seven points and Jorgensen had five. CSU’s bench outscored Wyoming’s 22-10.
“Ethan and Bowen were terrific here today. I thought Ethan was phenomenal. I thought he brought a ton of energy on both ends, made some huge plays for us like a fifth-year senior,” said Medved, who also praised Jorgensen’s mentality in stepping up to hit the 3-pointer in the key second-half run.
Throw in the 11 from Crocker-Johnson and nine for Mbemba, and it was more than enough for the role players beyond stars Clifford, Jalen Lake and Kyan Evans to lead CSU to a win.
Clifford was in foul trouble early but the Rams handled it well. Clifford still ended up with a sterling stat line of 23 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. He has double-doubles in all three games he’s played at CSU against Wyoming. He has eight double-doubles this season.
Lake scored 10 for CSU.
Road strength for Colorado State?
Are these road warriors in green?
Yes, CSU lost Tuesday at San Diego State (most teams do) but the Rams are now 3-1 in Mountain West play away from Moby Arena.
“I said from Day 1, they’re a really high character group. Love being around them. Love coaching them,” Medved said. “They’re really starting to buy into who they have to be. I said from Day 1 I thought this team could and would improve because of who they are and how they’re wired and I think we’re seeing that.”
That is notable, especially considering the 2024 NCAA Tournament Rams won just twice on the road last season in league play.
It is not easy to do. Just this week, New Mexico lost at San Jose State (where CSU won easily) and Utah State lost at UNLV.
Any road win is a good one and the Rams now have three in the pocket as they fight to be an upper-tier MW team.
The next game is a huge one for CSU as the Rams host Boise State at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the “white out” game. Boise State is one of the contenders for the MW crown.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This story has been updated with additional context and postgame quotes. It was also updated with a video.
If you’re planning on visiting Wyoming, for a truly authentic experience, you must include at least one of the state’s awesome downtowns in your travel plans. Positioned at the southern end of the 60-mile-long valley known as Jackson Hole, the character-rich town of Jackson is one such place to consider. A wonderful place to explore on foot, Jackson’s unique downtown, with its Old West vibe, spreads out from the intersection of Broadway and Cache Street. While it consists of just a few blocks, it is jam-packed with fun things to do, no matter what time of year you visit. Its impressive elk arch makes for an excellent photo opportunity, while the charm of its Old West heritage exudes from the historic buildings, cowboy-themed bars, and art installations across town. The wild past also comes to life in Jackson during the Jackson Hole Shootout at the Town Square, a tradition that has endured since 1957.
Town Square And The Elk Antler Arches
Though Jackson’s Central Park is officially known as George Washington Memorial Park, locals and visitors alike prefer to call it Town Square. Dedicated in 1934, this centrally located public space occupies the block at Broadway and Cache and is famous for the elk antler archers set at each of its corners.
Made entirely from naturally shed elk antlers, the first arch was erected by local Boy Scouts and Rotary Club members in 1953, with the other three added a few years later. Each consists of around 2,000 antlers collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge and is among the most photographed landmarks in Wyoming.
For a truly memorable experience, try to time a visit to coincide with ELKFEST. Held in May, this community-wide celebration attracts visitors from across the country for events like the Mountain Man Rendezvous, a reenactment of the state’s early fur trading years.
The main event, though, is the highly anticipated Elk Antler Auction. Bidders from far and wide turn up at Town Square to purchase antlers, which are then used to make everything from furniture to jewelry (proceeds going back to the Elk Refuge).
Jackson’s Cowboy Heritage
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Town Square becomes the backdrop of the famous Jackson Hole Shootout. This fun (and free) mock gunfight has been entertaining visitors since 1957 and includes several costumed outlaws and lawmen shooting it out (with blanks, of course). You can add to the experience by hopping aboard the Jackson Hole Stagecoach, a ride aboard a century-old coach that loops around downtown.
The Old West theme is evident in other spots around the downtown core, too. Steps from Town Square, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has been around since 1937 and is set in what was once the town’s first bank in the late 1890s. Highlights include its hand-carved bar top with silver dollars embedded in it, as well as its cool saddle barstools. Live music is regularly scheduled on the stage that has seen such legends as Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr. perform.
The Wort Hotel is another downtown landmark you’ll want to include in your Jackson itinerary. A local fixture since 1941, it’s here you’ll find the famous Silver Dollar Bar with its custom-made S-shaped counter inlaid with 2,032 uncirculated (and therefore rare) 1921 silver dollars. You’ll also want to check out its priceless collection of original Western art.
Other Fun Stuff To Do In Downtown Jackson
In addition to its iconic bars, downtown Jackson also boasts a world-class food scene. Highlights include Persephone Bakery, its old-fashioned stone hearth turning out delicious baked goods, including croissants and artisanal bread. Also yummy, Cafe Genevieve occupies an old log cabin and serves breakfast and lunch with a Southern-inspired menu.
Jackson’s art scene is also worth a mention. Art galleries are plentiful in the downtown area, with establishments like Astoria Fine Art and Mountain Trails Galleries, both on Town Square, featuring works by local, national, and international artists. The Center for the Arts is another cultural high point and features performance spaces, visual arts studios, and an outdoor sculpture park.
Snow King Mountain
Another unique feature of Jackson’s downtown is its proximity to some of Wyoming’s best (and certainly most accessible) ski hills. The base of Snow King Mountain is just six blocks from Town Square and has been in use since 1936, and really took off when Wyoming’s first chairlift opened here in 1946.
Dubbed the “Town Hill” by locals, Snow King now consists of 500 skiable acres, 41 named runs, three chairlifts, an eight-passenger gondola, and night skiing. In warmer months, the action shifts to a thrilling Cowboy Coaster, a zipline, a treetop adventure ropes course, and an alpine slide.
The Snow King Observatory and Planetarium is another excuse to head for the hills from downtown Jackson. Located at the summit of Snow King Mountain, in addition to its large telescope, this must-see attraction features a planetarium theater and a rooftop observation deck boasting incredible views over Jackson and the Jackson Hole Valley.
Explore Jackson’s Not-So-Wild Side
Downtown Jackson has so much to offer visitors seeking an authentic slice of Wyoming life. From its unique elk antler arches to its art galleries and cowboy culture, as well as its unique position steps from the ski hills, few towns in the USA’s Mountain Region can match the long list of fun things to do in Jackson’s downtown core.
The expansion would open the spigot for 550,000 barrels per day of crude, the company says. Although the crude would mostly pass through eastern Wyoming, the venture opens opportunities for Wyoming oil producers in the region for more transportation access to U.S. refineries and shipping ports, according to Bridger and local industry officials.“It would be the biggest project in our history, if it comes to fruition,” Bridger Pipeline spokesperson Bill Salvin told WyoFile on Friday. “We are, however, in the really early stages of the project. But we’re very excited about it.”Industry trade groups speculate the Bridger Pipeline Expansion is part of a competitive scramble to fill a gap left by TC Energy’s Keystone XL project. That company, in 2021, abandoned the controversial project in the face of major opposition and protests. It would have transported Canadian tar-sands oil into the U.S. market via a route extending through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. Among many challenges for Keystone XL was acquiring new rights-of-way easements. Though the Bridger Pipeline Expansion proposal requires some new rights-of-way, that’s not the case for the 210-mile Wyoming segment, according to Salvin.“All of that distance is within, or parallel to, existing pipeline corridors,” Salvin said.
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The Wyoming segment would pass through Crook, Weston, Niobrara, Goshen and Platte counties.Bridger Pipeline, a subsidiary of Casper-based True Companies, submitted a notice of intent to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in January and noted it will formally initiate environmental applications to the agency. Salvin told WyoFile he’s uncertain about the full spectrum of regulatory requirements in Wyoming.However, the company regards the Cowboy State as a great fit for the project, he said. “This [project proposal] just highlights how important the region is and how Wyoming is a very good place for energy projects like this.”Reached for comment, the Petroleum Association of Wyoming said the proposed pipeline only stands to benefit Wyoming producers and the state.“Investments like these, along with continued growth in areas like the Powder River Basin, show Wyoming will continue to play an important role in the nation’s energy markets,” PAW Vice President and Director of Communications Ryan McConnaughey told WyoFile. “Connecting in Guernsey allows product to be transported to refining hubs like Cushing, Oklahoma.” WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
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LARAMIE — Nasir Meyer converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining to give Wyoming Cowboys men’s basketball the lead for good, and Wyoming held Air Force Falcons men’s basketball scoreless over the final two minutes to secure a 66-62 victory Saturday night.
The win marked the 13th home victory of the season for Wyoming, which improved to 16-13 overall and 7-11 in conference play.
“Air Force deserves all the credit and let’s talk about a team that has every reason not to fight, but thats why they are Air Force and the cadets and I have a lot of respect for them,” Wyoming coach Sundance Wicks said. “They were not going to quit, and I didn’t drive that message home enough and hats off to Air Force because they deserved to win. We snuck away with a win. Adam Harakow showed when we need him and he was massive for us. Simm-Marten was made big plays and Naz was clutch for us late.”
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Wyoming shot 35% from the field and went 7 of 28 from 3-point range, making just two from beyond the arc in the second half. Air Force shot 49% overall and 44% from 3, hitting eight shots from long distance. The Cowboys made 13 of 16 free throws (81%) and scored 22 points off 15 Air Force turnovers while holding a 39-36 edge in rebounding.
Damarion Dennis led Wyoming with 16 points and three assists, going 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Meyer finished with 14 points and tied a career best with eight rebounds. Adam Harakow added 14 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting, his first double-figure scoring game since the first meeting with Air Force. Simm-Marten Saadi had nine points in 13 minutes, and Kiani Saxon grabbed seven rebounds.
Air Force opened with back-to-back 3-pointers to take a 6-0 lead. Meyer scored Wyoming’s first basket, and Leland Walker added a 3-pointer to make it 8-5 with 16 minutes left in the first half.
Wyoming responded with a 9-0 run over nearly four minutes, with Saadi and Harakow each connecting from beyond the arc to give the Cowboys an 11-8 lead with under 14 minutes remaining. Air Force regained a 12-11 advantage as Wyoming went scoreless for more than two minutes.
Harakow’s second 3-pointer pushed the lead to 22-16 with nine minutes left in the half, and Wyoming used a 6-0 run while holding the Falcons without a field goal for more than four minutes to build a 28-18 lead with six minutes remaining. The Cowboys closed the half on a defensive stand, keeping Air Force scoreless for the final two minutes to take a 35-25 lead into the break. Wyoming scored 15 first-half points off turnovers.
The teams traded 3-pointers early in the second half, and Air Force cut the deficit to 40-31 with under 17 minutes left before trimming it to seven 90 seconds later. Walker answered with a 3-pointer to make it 43-33 with 15 minutes to go.
Air Force used a 9-0 run during a stretch in which Wyoming went more than 3 1/2 minutes without a point to pull within one with nine minutes left. The Falcons later tied the game at 51-51 with 5:30 remaining after forcing six straight missed shots.
A pair of free throws by Meyer and a basket from Saadi gave Wyoming a 57-53 lead with under four minutes to play. Air Force answered with three consecutive 3-pointers from Kam Sanders to take a 62-59 lead with two minutes left.
Meyer scored with 90 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to one. On the next trip, he converted an and-one to give Wyoming a 64-62 lead with 35 seconds left. The Cowboys added late free throws to close out the 66-62 win.
Sanders led Air Force with 16 points and nine rebounds, going 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Eli Robinson added 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Wyoming closes its home schedule Tuesday against Nevada Wolf Pack men’s basketball at 8 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Cowgirls.
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