Depleted Wyoming Cowboys give great effort for Jeff Linder, fall short against UNLV

Wyoming, right down to seven wholesome scholarship gamers, gave a greater effort on the defensive finish however shot 38.5% from the sector throughout a 69-59 loss to UNLV on Wednesday night time on the Enviornment-Auditorium.

Head coach Jeff Linder introduced earlier within the day that the reeling Cowboys (7-16, 2-9 Mountain West) can be with out Ethan Anderson, Max Agbonkpolo and Jake Kyman.

The ballyhooed USC and UCLA transfers are now not in this system and have headed again to Los Angeles.

The departures got here a day after Noah Reynolds, the group’s main scorer, was dominated out for the rest of the season as a consequence of concussions. Preseason Mountain West participant of the 12 months Graham Ike introduced final Friday he won’t play this season as a consequence of a proper foot damage.

Hunter Maldonado remains to be in a UW uniform for not less than eight extra video games. The tremendous senior scored 17 and have become the fifth participant in program historical past to attain 2,000 factors in a profession.

“I really like Coach,” Maldonado mentioned after a tough few days for Linder. “I’d die for him. I’d decide no one else to be in my foxhole. He’s acquired my again it doesn’t matter what. One of many large causes I got here again was as a result of his expertise, his information and what I can be taught from him and what he produces.

“I’ve the utmost respect and love for Coach Linder. I do know all people in that locker room does as properly.”

Brendan Wenzel (11 factors), Jeremiah Oden (10) and Xavier DuSell (10) additionally scored in double figures, but it surely wasn’t sufficient to maintain up with E.J. Harkless, who completed with 33 factors on 8-for-12 taking pictures to tempo the Rebels (16-8, 4-8).

“To be a very good defensive group guys must be related, guys have to know their roles and there must be a sure stage of self-discipline and energy that’s required to get stops,” Linder mentioned after UW held the Rebels to 17-for-51 (33.3%) taking pictures. ” Give Harkless credit score, he made numerous robust photographs.”

Harkless, who lit the Pokes up for 28 factors final month in Las Vegas, scored seven straight factors to offer the Rebels a 46-35 cushion.

Nate Barnhart discovered fellow freshman massive man Caden Powell for a dunk and Maldonado scored within the paint to chop the deficit to 48-43 with 10:40 remaining.

UNLV pulled away down the stretch because the Pokes ran out of fuel and struggled with fouls. The Rebels completed 25-for-31 on the free-throw line the place UW was 14-for-18.

Maldonado scored six factors early within the first half to assist UW take a 33-29 lead, however the Rebels answered with a fast 9-0 run on three made 3s.

“Slightly robust the final 24 hours, however these guys in that locker room knew what the sport plan was, and we went out and did a very good job by way of holding down a group,” Linder mentioned. “It appeared proper, it felt proper.”

The Cowboys trailed 25-24 on the intermission after holding UNLV to 8-for-32 taking pictures from the sector and out-rebounding the guests 22-21.

UW led 10-6 early as DuSell completed a 7-0 run with a 3, however the Rebels reclaimed the lead moments afterward a four-point play by Justin Webster.

Oden electrified the gang with a dunk after which a finger roll to offer the Cowboys a 24-21 lead.

Barnhart and Maldonado each missed the entrance finish of one-and-ones on the free-throw line and DuSell missed a 3 within the closing minute of the half.

The Pokes solely trailed by a degree on the break regardless of taking pictures 36% from the sector with solely two made 3s.

Regardless of numerous accusations on social media concerning the therapy of the Anderson, Agbonkpolo and Kyman throughout their transient keep in Laramie, the remaining gamers had Linder’s again after the sport. 

“We play for the title on entrance and for the man that’s subsequent to us within the huddle and for the state,” DuSell mentioned. “It’s a tight-knit circle and we’re simply taking part in for one another each single night time. …

“We all know that there’s brighter days forward.”