San Diego State (20-7, 13-5) avoided a disastrous loss on Saturday night, holding off a pesky Wyoming team for a 72-69 victory at Arena-Auditorium in Laramie, Wyoming.
Wyoming (12-18, 5-14) held a 34-33 halftime lead and went ahead by as many as five points early in the second half before San Diego State mounted their comeback.
Miles Byrd, BJ Davis and Jared Coleman-Jones each finished in double figures while point guard Nick Boyd dished out seven assists in the victory. It marked San Diego State’s 13th consecutive win over the Cowboys dating back to 2017. The Aztecs will close out the regular season against UNLV and Nevada before opening the conference tournament in Las Vegas on March 13.
Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s victory.
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CLEANING UP THE LITTLE THINGS
From afar San Diego State’s numbers on Saturday would appear to have led to a lopsided victory against Wyoming. The Aztecs shot 50 percent from the game, knocked down seven of 19 three-point attempts and only committed seven turnovers. They held the Cowboys to eight of 27 from three-point range and forced them into 17 turnovers. Despite all that, Wyoming had possession and a chance to tie the game in the final seconds.
The Aztecs missed 13 free throws including two from Jared Coleman-Jones with six seconds left that would have sealed the game. They also were outrebounded 39-23 by the Cowboys with no Aztec finishing with more than five rebounds. With seven-footer Magoon Gwath still sidelined with a hyperextended knee, San Diego State must finish off their defensive possessions with rebounds as the conference tournament nears.
MILES BYRD AND BJ DAVIS LEAD THE OFFENSE
After a stretch of nine games during January and February in which Miles Byrd struggled offensively, he appears to have turned things around this week. Byrd and sophomore guard BJ Davis each led San Diego State with 18 points on Saturday night, combining to shoot 12 of 22.
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Davis finished in double figures for the 13th time this season and matched his career high by knocking down four three-pointers. Over the past three games, Davis is averaging 13 points per game and has made 10 of his 16 three-point attempts.
THE CONFERENCE RACE TIGHTENS
Colorado State made a big statement on Saturday afternoon, leaving no doubt in a 93-66 win over Utah State in Fort Collins. The Rams currently sit outside of the projected NCAA tournament field but appear to be playing their best basketball at the right time. The win pulled them into a tie for second place in the conference standings, one game behind New Mexico with two games to play. With San Diego State and Boise State both winning, the Aztecs and Broncos are still alive to share a conference title though odds remain low. Both teams secured a top five seed in the conference tournament with Saturday’s wins, earning their spot into the quarterfinal round. For San Diego State it’s their eight straight season they’ve earned a bye into the quarterfinal round.
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SHOSHONI, Wyo. — A 12-year-old boy from Shoshoni is now the proud holder of the Junior 4-pound Line Class world record for bass after netting a 2-pound, 4-ounce largemouth in August. The boy, coincidentally with the last name Bass, caught the fish at Lake Cameahwait.
According to a release from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Tucker Bass and his father were fishing over the lake on a two-person kayak when the young angler reeled in the record fish. He did so on a rod and reel given to him by his grandfather.
Bass is the first Wyoming resident to hold a world record in any category for largemouth. The International Game and Fish Association oversees all world records for fishing and officially approved Bass’s catch in November.
Wyoming’s state record largemouth was caught in 2018 near Sheridan. A comprehensive list of all Wyoming record fish can be found here.
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“This is an exceptional accomplishment for a young angler,” WGF Lander Region fisheries supervisor Joe Deromedi said in the release. “Tucker’s record highlights not only his skill and dedication, but also the quality fishing opportunities we have in central Wyoming. It’s always exciting to see youth developing a lifelong passion for fishing.”
Bass, an avid fisherman, also earned Trophy Angler status in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Master Angler program in August.
For more information on Tucker Bass’s record catch, see the Wyoming Game and Fish website.
Junior Line class 4-pound world record-holder Tucker Bass (WGF Department)
I know this is going to seem weird to read, but some people think Wyoming isn’t a real place. A fake fantasy world, they’ve only read about in books. Many who live in Wyoming are happy to hear that, because they won’t want to move here, but unfortunately, there’s a guy named Josh Allen who has confirmed that Wyoming is real.
READ MORE: Former Wyoming Coach Reconnects With Current NFL MVP
Josh has become a household name and a hero to young football fans everywhere. Even though the reigning NFL MVP wasn’t born and raised in Wyoming, he picked up on the Cowboy State’s traits. He is polite, kind, and does great things for others, including kids at the Oishei Children’s Hospital.
Josh’s impact on Wyoming is huge, and quite often, you’ll see social media posts from Wyomingites who are watching Josh play in Buffalo. Josh’s favorite wings restaurant ‘Double Dubs’ from Laramie, has won “People’s Choice” multiple times at the National Buffalo Chicken Festival in Buffalo.
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READ MORE: Josh Allen’s Return To Wyoming For Jersey Retirement
Now, Josh’s influence on Wyoming has been highlighted on an episode of the New Heights Podcast hosted by Travis and Jason Kelce. Travis (Taylor Swift’s fiancé) mentioned that when Josh was in Laramie having his jersey retired, the fans in the stands created a giant beer snake, and he was proud of Wyoming.
Josh actually called on a fan to lead the student section to create that beer snake. Check out this TikTok video where the MVP asked a fan to get it done.
@trainwrecksports When QB1 requests a beer snake, you better start drinking! 🍻 🎥 via Bills on IG #BillsMafia ♬ original sound – Trainwreck Sports
During the clip on New Heights, interestingly enough, Jason Kelce, who seems to be quite the tailgate party guy, had never heard of a beer snake, but luckily, Travis explained it to him. And, just like that, Wyoming is on the map.
NFL Most Valuable Player Josh Allen Makes Return to Wyoming for Jersey Retirement
Josh Allen quarterbacked the Cowboys from 2015-17, leading Wyoming to a berth in the Mountain West Championship game his sophomore season. He declared for the NFL Draft in 2018 and was selected No. 7 overall by the Buffalo Bills.
