A lack of offensive firepower hampered the Wyoming Cowboys, as they lost to the #14 New Mexico Lobos 59-46 in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West Basketball Championships in Las Vegas Wednesday night. UW shot only 32 percent from the field and could never mount a serious challenge to the Lobos, who ended the game on a 12-4 run to advance to the MW tournament semifinals Friday night.

“I'm really proud of these guys,” UW head coach Larry Shyatt said. “I'm proud of a lot of things and a lot of attributes, but I'm probably proudest of the fact that today was synonymous with many games we played this year. They really didn't care if a team was 14th in the nation or on the road or home.  They played with a sense of urgency.”

Wyoming (19-13) used an 8-2 run to start the second half and pulled within 36-32 with 15:24 left. In fact, the Cowboys held New Mexico without a field goal for a 12 minute stretch in the game. Unfortunately, the Lobos kept UW at bay thanks to the free throw line. They knocked down 21-of-29 at the stripe, as the Pokes committed 22 fouls.

When Leonard Washington fouled out with 7:21 left in the game, the Pokes were only down 48-42, but New Mexico put together their key spurt and finished off UW by 13 points.

The Cowboys were led by Derrious Gilmore and Larry Nance, Jr. with 14 points apiece. Josh Adams added 12 points. UW was 16-50 (32%) from the field, 6-23 (26.1%) from deep and 8-13 (61.5%) at the foul line.

New Mexico (27-5) had two players in double figures, as Tony Snell scored 15 points and Cameron Bairstow added 14. The Lobos shot 17-42 (40.5%) on field goals, were 4-9 (44.4%) from beyond the arc and 21-29 (72.4%) at the line. They out-rebounded UW 33-28.

Wyoming was able to hang around most of the game, but never led. A 10-2 run by the Lobos helped them gain control in the first half for an eventual 34-24 edge at the break. The Pokes were within 4 or 6 points on several occasions in the second stanza, but failed to put together that key rally.

Now the Cowboys play the waiting game, as to whether they will play in a post-season tournament like the NIT or CBI. That word will come either Sunday night or Monday morning. Check back to kowb1290.com Monday for news on if the Cowboys will keep playing during this 2012-13 season.

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