Jan. 15, 2013

Laramie, Wyo. -

Game Notes | Gameday Central

The University of Wyoming men's basketball team will continue its Mountain West road trip on Wednesday with a trip to Fresno, Calif., to take on Fresno State at 8 p.m. MT. The Cowboys (14-1, 1-1 MW) rebounded from their first loss of the season with an 11-point victory at Nevada on Saturday afternoon, while the Bulldogs (6-9, 0-2 MW) suffered a 72-45 defeat at New Mexico in their latest action.

Fans can follow live stats, live audio and live video of Wyoming's game through the men's basketball Gameday Central page on the website. The contest will also be broadcast on the radio by the Cowboy Sports Network.

A Look at the Matchup
Wyoming is 14-1 on the season after winning at Nevada for its fifth-consecutive road win, its longest streak since the 1990-91 season. After trailing 20-17 at halftime, Wyoming used another second-half surge to down the Wolf Pack, outscoring Nevada 42-28 in the second frame. UW trailed 28-26 with 13:37 to go in the game before putting together a 17-2 run over the next seven minutes to take a 43-30 lead. The Wolf Pack cut the deficit to nine twice over the final six minutes, but could not get closer. Wyoming closed the game shooting 68 percent (15-of-22) from the field in the second half and 50 percent (4-of-8) from beyond the arc. The Cowboys have been balanced this season, averaging 67.3 points per game on 46 percent from the field, 35 percent from the three-point line and 74 percent at the free throw line. Wyoming is second in the MW in field goal and free throw percentage. The Pokes are first in the conference and seventh in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 54.7 points per game. Wyoming is fourth in the MW in field goal defense at 39 percent, but eighth in three-point field goal defense at 35 percent. UW's plus 2.7 turnover margin is fourth in the conference.

Rodney Terry is in his second season as the head coach of Fresno State, a first-year member of the MW. The Bulldogs are 6-9 overall on the season, including 0-2 in league action, with losses in six of their last seven contests. They opened MW play with a close 65-62 home loss to No. 16/15 San Diego State last Wednesday and followed with a 72-45 loss at No. 25 New Mexico on Saturday. Fresno State is ninth in the MW in scoring offense at 61.0 points per game. It is third in scoring defense allowing 60.4 points per contest, but eighth in scoring margin at plus 0.6. The Bulldogs rank second in the MW in three-point field goal defense, allowing 29 percent and are also second in steals, swiping 8.2 per game. Fresno State is third in the conference in turnover margin at plus 3.1, but its plus 0.7 assist-turnover ratio is ninth in the league. It is last in the league in field goal percentage at 39 and eighth in free throw percentage at 68. Last season the Bulldogs were 13-20 on the season and 3-11 in the WAC. They returned three starters and five letterwinners from that squad.

Each Team's Leaders
Senior forward Leonard Washington leads the Cowboys at 14.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. He is one of just three MW players to rank in the top 10 of the conference in all three categories and leads the league in blocks. Senior guard Derrious Gilmore adds 11.7 points and 2.8 assists from the point. He is third in the MW in three-point percentage at 43 percent and seventh in threes per game at 2.0. Sophomore forward Larry Nance Jr. is UW's other scorer in double figures at 10.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Riley Grabau missed time in December with a knee injury, but has started the last three contests. He averages 6.3 points and 2.3 assists per game. Freshman guard Josh Adams has started the last six contests for UW and has averaged 6.3 points and 1.7 assists per game. Washington led the Pokes on Saturday against Nevada with 16 points and 13 rebounds, as he also added six assists, four blocks and three steals. Grabau scored 12 points and added two assists and two boards.

Junior guard Tyler Johnson paces the Bulldogs at 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game thanks to a team-high 45 percent from the field and 50 percent from three, but did not play last Saturday at New Mexico. Freshman guard Marvelle Harris was FSU's leading scorer against the Lobos with 11 points, as he made his first start of the season. Freshman guard Aaron Anderson made his fourth start, freshman center Robert Upshaw his fifth, redshirt junior forward Jerry Brown his 11th and junior guard Kevin Olekaibe rounded out FSU's starters against UNM. Only Olekaibe has started all 15 games for Fresno State this season, as a total of 10 different Bulldogs have made at least one start. Olekaibe averages 8.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game and ranks seventh in the MW in steals at 1.4, while Upshaw ranks second in blocks at 2.0.

About the Series
The Pokes trail 6-9 in the all-time series with the Bulldogs. The Cowboys are 0-7 all-time in Fresno, falling 76-68 in the two team's last meeting on Feb. 20, 1997. The programs have split the last six meetings with the Cowboys winning all three games at home.

Up Next
Wyoming will return to the Double A on Saturday to take on No. 15/14 San Diego State at 5:30 p.m. MT.