Wyoming

Wyoming Basketball Teams Suffer Close Losses to New Mexico – SweetwaterNOW

Published

11 months ago

January 9, 2025

Wyoming Basketball Teams Suffer Close Losses to New Mexico – SweetwaterNOW

Courtesy photo from gowyo.com

LARAMIE — Both Wyoming basketball teams faced heartbreak against New Mexico, with the Cowboys falling 61-53 in Laramie and the Cowgirls narrowly losing 73-67 in Albuquerque. Despite stellar efforts, the Lobos prevailed in both contests.

Cowboys’ Defensive Showcase Falls Short

The Wyoming Cowboys held one of the nation’s top offenses to a mere 18 points in the first half, their fourth-lowest opponent total in a half in program history. However, a late rally from New Mexico in the second half sealed the Lobos’ victory at the Arena-Auditorium.

“We were close, and close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades,” Wyoming head coach Sundance Wicks said. “This game stung a bit. I’m proud of the guys; they executed the game plan and are believing in what we’re doing. The process is showing, but the results aren’t there.”

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The Pokes’ defensive effort limited the Lobos to 33.3 percent shooting for the game, including 23.8 percent from beyond the arc. Offensively, Wyoming struggled, shooting just 32.2 percent overall and 26.3 percent from three-point range.

Dontaie Allen led Wyoming with 12 points, his third double-digit performance of the season. Cole Henry and Abou Magassa added 10 points each, with Magassa’s career-high also including five rebounds. Jordan Nesbitt contributed eight rebounds and a season-high five assists, while Kobe Newton chipped in nine points on three three-pointers.

Wyoming led 32-18 at halftime, dominating defensively and holding New Mexico scoreless for stretches exceeding four minutes. However, a 12-0 Lobo run early in the second half tightened the game. The Cowboys briefly regained control with an 8-0 run, highlighted by a transition dunk from Nesbitt, but New Mexico surged late. Donovan Dent’s 22 points and Nelly Junior Joseph’s double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) propelled the Lobos to victory.

Cowgirls Stumble in Fourth Quarter

The Wyoming Cowgirls battled valiantly at The Pit, shooting an impressive 52.1 percent from the field and assisting on 21 of 25 made baskets. However, New Mexico’s strong fourth-quarter performance proved decisive in the Lobos’ 73-67 win.

“We did an excellent job sharing the ball, but turnovers and missed opportunities hurt us,” said Wyoming head coach Heather Ezell.

Allyson Fertig led the Cowgirls with 17 points, followed by Tess Barnes (15) and Malene Pedersen (14), who combined for five three-pointers. Off the bench, McKinley Dickerson added 10 points. Pedersen also tallied a career-high seven assists, while Ola Ustowska contributed a season-best six.

Wyoming’s unselfish play led to their second 20-plus assist game this season. However, 15 turnovers led to 14 points for New Mexico, and the Lobos held an 8-0 edge in second-chance points.

Despite trailing 37-33 at halftime, the Cowgirls trimmed the deficit to two by the third quarter’s end. A pair of Fertig free throws tied the game at 53-53 early in the fourth, but New Mexico answered with a decisive 7-0 run. Fertig’s three late layups kept Wyoming close, but the Lobos held firm, aided by Hulda Joaquim’s timely three-pointer and a solid team effort.

Looking Ahead

The Cowboys will enjoy a bye weekend before traveling to Boise State for their second matchup in as many weeks. Meanwhile, the Cowgirls return home for back-to-back games, starting with a contest against San Diego State on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Arena-Auditorium.

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Wyoming

Wyoming Business Council says the future is nuclear

Published

1 hour ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

Wyoming Business Council says the future is nuclear

The future is nuclear, at least according to the Wyoming Business Council (WBC).

WBC launched a new community conversation series, called “Building Wyoming’s Future.”

The first webinar focused on the nuclear industry in the state.

“It really kind of shared a holistic vision for how this new energy and new advanced fuel in the new nuclear industry is going to make a difference for Wyoming,” said WBC CEO Josh Dorrell.

The public webinar focused on the proposed BWX Technologies (BWXT) advanced nuclear fuel facility in Gillette and Campbell County. It highlighted how the project would serve as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation and long-term opportunity across the state.

“[It] showed that it’s not just one company that benefits, but it’s a number of companies across the state that are already benefiting from this, and more will continue as this industry opens its doors to Wyoming,” said Dorrell.

The state is considering investing in BWX Technologies in the form of $100 million through the Large Project Energy Matching Fund. BWXT would put down over $400 million. According to WBC, the project would create more than 200 jobs and long-term economic benefits like an increased tax base and a new energy export.

But not all growth is seen as positive. Critics have already sent one nuclear company away – Radiant Industries’ proposed factory for portable nuclear microreactors near Bar Nunn. It came from people’s concerns that the state could have become a nuclear dump site for the nation.

WBC said Wyoming needs to be forward-thinking.

“Are we as a state going to make sure we put things in as a state from a policy perspective that both protect the state and invite business to come?” asked Dorrell.

According to Gov. Mark Gordon, Wyoming, as an “all of the above” energy policy state, welcomes most energy sources under the president’s “drill baby drill” push.

That’s even as Trump cancels almost $8 billion in grants for clean energy projects in 16 states.

“I think we’ve got to take a look at our state and the wealth that we have in the state to utilize that to secure our own future. I don’t think we want to be dependent upon the federal government. We were already influenced heavily by the fact that we want to use our own wealth to determine our future,” said Dorrell.

The Wyoming Energy Authority is accepting public comment on the state’s investment in BWXT until Nov. 25.

Gordon is expected to make a decision by Dec. 15.

The next community conversation from WBC will be focused on “critical minerals beyond the rocks.”

Republished with permission from Wyoming News Now, a TV news outlet covering the Cheyenne and Casper areas.

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Wyoming

Wyoming lawmakers advance bills in attempt to limit gambling

Published

19 hours ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

Wyoming lawmakers advance bills in attempt to limit gambling

CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Legislature’s Management Council voted this week to advance a package of gambling-related bills aimed at tightening regulatory control and making money laundering a felony in the state. The group of legislative leaders also rejected a contentious proposal placing a statutory cap on Historic Horse Racing (HHR) terminals. The five bill drafts, originally developed by the …

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