Wyoming Falls on the Road at New Mexico, 77-60

* University of Wyoming press release

ALBUQUERQUE -- The Wyoming Cowboys could not overcome first half turnovers in a 77-60 loss to New Mexico in The Pit on Saturday evening in Albuquerque, N.M.

The Pokes fall to 8-7 overall and 1-1 in conference play with the Lobos, who are receiving votes in both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls move to 13-2 overall and 1-1 in conference.

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“To have the game down to seven points in the second half when you turn the ball over the way we did and make it a game that is something to build off of, but we aren’t talented enough to spot the good teams in our league points and it is too hard to dig out of the hole,” UW head coach Jeff Linder said.

Wyoming was led by guard Sam Griffin with 18 points. He also added six rebounds and three assists. Mason Walters added 10 points and five rebounds along with three assists. Cam Manyawu added 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Cowboys. Brendan Wenzel added six rebounds along with five points.

The Cowboys shot 41 percent from the field in the contest with the Lobos shooting 44 percent from the field. Wyoming held a 39-34 advantage on the glass for the night. Wyoming recorded 23 turnovers in the contest with the Lobos scoring 28 points off the UW miscues.

The Cowboys got off to an early 5-2 lead after baskets from Wenzel and a three-pointer from Walters. New Mexico got the Cowboys into foul and turnovers trouble and took a 9-5 lead with 15 minutes left in the first half.

Wyoming as strong defensively in the first nine-plus minutes holding New Mexico to 36 percent from the field. But the Lobos still would hold a five-point lead at 14-9. The Lobos would push the lead to double-digits at 26-12 with 6:52 left in the first half after a quick 9-0 run after a Kobe Newton three-pointer.

The Pokes would cut it to 10-points, but the Lobos defensive pressure and another 9-0 run made it a 37-18 contest with under three minutes left in the half and would take a 39-22 lead into the break.

The Cowboys came out of the locker room on a mission opening the half 5-of-6 from the field and used an 8-0 run to make it a 43-35 game with 16:18 left in the contest. The Pokes would make it a seven-point contest twice, but the Lobos would push the lead back to 13 points with under 12 minutes left.

Wyoming battled to make it a nine-point game, but a pair of baskets in the paint by the Lobos made it a 57-44 game with 8:37 left. Wyoming would push it to a 10-point game with six minutes left. But the Lobos pulled away late and took the contest and took the win 77-60

New Mexico was led by Donovan Dent with 21 points. He was 9-of-16 from the field.

The Cowboys remain on the road heading to Utah State on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. start on the Mountain West Network.