by Keith Kelley–18 Nov ’14
The Wyoming Cowboy basketball team got off to a slow start this (Tuesday) evening against Western State in the Arena Auditorium. The Pokes trailed 12-4, seven minutes into the game. That’s when head coach Larry Shyatt called a timeout to make some changes. In came four substitutions, and that would spark Wyoming on a 22-0 run, as they would roll from then in a 61-46 win over the Mountaineers.
Senior forward Derek Cooke Junior was one of the four players substituted for. He says that those four players deserve all the credit for getting the Cowboys back on track.
Cooke finished with 13 points on 6-6 shooting. In fact, Cooke has yet to miss a shot from the field, a perfect 11-11 on the season.
Once again, Wyoming shot extremely well from the field, 24-46 (52.2%). Of those 24 made baskets, there were 21 assists, and head coach Larry Shyatt says that just points out the unselfishness of this team.
Unlike the first game against Northern Colorado, Shyatt was able to play more players and give out more minutes, as eight players played 19 minutes or more, and 11 total got in the game. Senior Charles Hankerson, Jr, who finished with 13 points, says that just shows the confidence that they have in every player on the roster.
Senior forward Larry Nance, Jr. finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, as the Cowboys improved to 2-0 on the season. The Cowboys also held Western State to just 34 percent shooting on the evening.
Wyoming will host Colorado Saturday afternoon in the AA. Tipoff is set for 4 pm.
