Wyoming loses nailbiter to South Dakota, 82-81

Wyoming Cowboys (5-4) 81

South Dakota Coyotes (8-4) 82

This was one of those games you desperately want to win if your head coach Sundance Wicks.

Despite losing two straight heading into Vermillion, South Dakota, the Cowboys have played well as of late.

Losing to Loyola Marymount by three in Cancun isn’t considered a bad loss at the moment, and nearly handing Utah State its first loss of 2024 in Logan is one of the most significant moral victories you can have.

South Dakota is a mediocre Summit League team.

Playing on the road is never easy, regardless of the opponent.

But the Pokes needed a pick-me-up win before facing BYU this Saturday in Salt Lake City.

Key Pieces of the Night

WYO No. 5 – Guard Obi Agbim

He tried his darndest, playing 39 of a possible 40 minutes.

Once again, Agbim led Wyoming in scoring.

But a strange sight is that he tied Touko Tainamo for the most rebounds on the team in Vermillion.

Double-double machine Jordan Nesbitt was held to a mere five rebounds – his lowest total since Texas Tech.

Agbim also led the Pokes in total assists by a wide margin.

No. 5 has been the engine that pushes this team forward, but he can’t do it alone.

Obi Agbim’s final stat line – 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 5-12 FGs, 3-6 3PTs, 4-4 FTs.

WYO No. 3 – Guard A.J. Willis

Sundance Wicks finally received some bench production.

The sophomore scored a career-high in points and played a season-high 28 minutes.

Wyoming has needed some reliable scoring outside of Agbim and Nesbitt, and Willis may be the missing piece to putting pressure on opposing defenses in conference play.

It didn’t lead to a win against South Dakota, but this team and coaching staff are learning what works and what doesn’t, minute by minute and game by game.

A.J. Willis’ final stat line – 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4-7 FGs, 2-4 3PTs, 6-6 FTs.

Team Stats

*Bold denotes freeze-point stats.

Field Goal Percentage – 42.9% (WYO) vs. 45.0% (SDAK)

Three-Point Percentage – 34.8% (WYO) vs. 21.1% (SDAK)

Free Throw Percentage – 75.8% (WYO) vs. 70.6% (SDAK)

Free Throw Attempts – 25-33 (WYO) vs. 24-34 (SDAK)

Rebounds – 44 (WYO) vs. 28 (SDAK)

Assists – 10 (WYO) vs. 7 (SDAK)

Steals – 2 (WYO) vs. 4 (SDAK)

Blocks – 2 (WYO) vs. 1 (SDAK)

Total Turnovers – 19 (WYO) vs. 10 (SDAK)

Points in the Paint – 30 (WYO) vs. 42 (SDAK)

Fouls – 24 (WYO) vs. 26 (SDAK)

Next Opponent

Team: BYU Cougars (Big 12)

Record: 7-2

Best Win: Neutral – 72-61 win over N.C. State (No. 79 in KenPom)

KenPom Ranking: No. 46 – Wyoming is No. 195

Projected Score via KenPom: L, 79-65, 10% Win Probability

Player(s) to Watch: Guard – No. 3 Egor Demin and Center – No. 45 Fousseyni Traore

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah (Delta Center)

Date: Saturday, December 14th

TV/Time: 7:00 p.m. (MT) on ESPN+

Mountain West Connection will keep you up-to-date on everything Wyoming basketball this season!