Wyoming hands Nevada Wolf Pack first MW loss

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Hayden Dalton scored seven of his 25 points in the second overtime and Wyoming edged No. 23 Nevada 104-103 on Wednesday night.

Justin James had 33 points and 10 rebounds for the Cowboys (13-7, 4-3 Mountain West). Louis Adams added 17 points, including a free throw that put Wyoming up 104-100 with 6.2 seconds left.

Nevada (18-4, 7-1) was led by Jordan Caroline’s 29 points and Cody Martin’s 27.

The teams were tied 74-all at the end of regulation and 89-89 after the first overtime. Dalton put Wyoming ahead 100-94 with 1:13 remaining on a 3-pointer and four free throws.

A bucket by Alan Herndon, who finished with eight points and 10 rebounds, and free throws by Nyaires Redding and Adams in the final 16 seconds sealed the win for the Cowboys.

Both teams shot well from the foul line, with Wyoming hitting 34 of 42 and Nevada making 30 of 38.

BIG PICTURE

Nevada: The Wolf Pack may just lose their newly earned ranking in next week’s AP poll because they don’t play again until next Wednesday. Nevada returned to the Top 25 this week after being ranked earlier this season. Nevada also saw its win streak in Mountain West Conference games end at 13. It fell one short of the league record for consecutive wins set by New Mexico from Jan. 13, 2010, to March 3, 2010.

Wyoming: The Cowboys continued their stellar performance at home against ranked teams. Entering the game, they had won four of their last five home games against ranked opponents. Nevada’s visit to Laramie was the first time a ranked team played in the Arena-Auditorium since No. 5 San Diego State lost to Wyoming 68-62 on Feb. 11, 2014.

UP NEXT

Nevada has the weekend off and next hosts Fresno State on Jan. 31. The Wolf Pack won the first meeting this season, 80-65.

Wyoming travels to play at San Jose State on Saturday, the first meeting between the Mountain West Conference foes this season.