Wyoming wins MW championship
Wyoming beat San Diego State 45-43 on Saturday to improve to 25-9 on the season and clinch its first NCAA tournament invite since 2002.
“I love the way these guys play,” said Wyoming head coach Larry Shyatt after the win. “I have always trusted them. I’m so happy for our ball club, for our university and most of all for these five seniors who came and took a chance on our staff. They took a chance on the University of Wyoming at a time that was not easy.”
The Aztecs had a chance for a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it wasn’t meant to be and the shot missed, leading to Cowboy win.
“We’ve been in dogfights all year,” said junior guard Josh Adams, who was named tournament most valuable player after the game. “This is the style we play. I know a lot of the critiques about us — we’re grinding it out, we’re going to lose energy. We had bounce in our step and were able to grind it out all the way to the end of the game, and now we’re going dancing.”
Wyoming led the entire first half and finished with a three-point lead at the half. In the second half San Diego State battled back and both teams took turns leading the game until Adams nailed a 3-point shot with just over a minute left to give Wyoming the lead for good.
“We came here, and I say it all the time,” said Larry Nance Jr. who scored 14 points and had six rebounds in the San Diego State game. “Coach promised to be a piece of something bigger. If I remember right, that court just about 20 minutes ago was something bigger. That’s what we’re taking back to Wyoming. All those fans, this trophy, the tournament MVP and an NCAA tournament berth.”
San Diego State held the edge in bench points against Wyoming. The Aztec bench put up 21 points compared to just one point for the Wyoming bench. Despite the difference in bench scoring and holding Wyoming to just six points in the paint, San Diego State came up short.
“I will congratulate Larry Shyatt,” said Steve Fisher, head coach of San Diego State. “He’s a good friend, for what he’s done, and for his team with their grit and toughness. But we have a team that has proven that we have that same mettle, and I’m disappointed we’re not the ones out chopping the nets down. But we’re not. That’s the reality of it. That disappointment and feeling truly has no boundaries.”
Wyoming was the four seed in the tournament and beat Utah State 67-65 in its first game. Adams led the way against USU, scoring 19 points and dishing out six assists. After defeating the Aggies, the Cowboys set their sights on the Broncos for their second game.
Playing against top-seeded Boise State on Friday, Wyoming needed a little extra time to get the win but finished with a 71-66 advantage after overtime. Adams again led all scorers this time with 27 points.
“I’m just happy for these five guys that are a year ahead of me that I’ve had a chance and privilege to spend three years with,” said Adams after the Boise State game. “I know they’ve wanted this for a long time. I’m glad to be a part of it, and I’m glad I could do something propel them to that spot and help out a little bit.”
— kalen.s.taylor@gmail.com
Twitter: @kalen_taylor