Wyoming Cowboys Hold Off Fresno State Bulldogs 92-82 Behind Nasir Meyer's 22 Points

The Wyoming Cowboys secured a crucial 92-82 victory over the Fresno State Bulldogs, with Nasir Meyer leading the charge with 22 points and 5 rebounds, as the Cowboys improved to 14-12 on the season. Fresno State, meanwhile, fell to 12-14, with Wilson Jacques posting a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. The game was marked by a series of runs, with Wyoming ultimately pulling away in the second half, outscoring Fresno State 50-42 in the final 20 minutes. The Cowboys' victory was their second in six games, with their previous win coming against Colorado State, where they won 68-57. Over their last five games, Wyoming has struggled, averaging just 68.8 points per game, while allowing 77.4 points per game, resulting in a -8.6 point differential.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. Wyoming took a 42-40 lead into the break, with Meyer and Khaden Bennett combining for 23 points. Fresno State, meanwhile, was led by Jacques, who had 11 points and 7 rebounds at halftime. The Bulldogs had been playing well coming into the game, with a 3-2 record over their last five contests, including a 98-96 win over UNLV and a 79-62 victory over Air Force. They had been averaging 81.4 points per game over that stretch, outscoring opponents by 5.2 points per game. In the second half, Wyoming began to pull away, with a 10-2 run giving them a 62-52 lead with 12:30 remaining. Fresno State fought back, but the Cowboys' lead never dipped below 5 points, as they ultimately emerged with a 10-point victory.

Meyer's performance was instrumental in the Cowboys' win, as he hit several big shots, including a pair of three-pointers in the second half. Bennett, meanwhile, added 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Damarion Dennis chipped in with 17 points of his own. For Fresno State, Jacques was a force to be reckoned with, but he received little support from his teammates, with DeShawn Gory and Zaon Collins combining for just 28 points. The Bulldogs' lack of depth was a major factor in their loss, as they were unable to keep pace with Wyoming's balanced attack. Over the course of the game, Wyoming's offense was able to exploit Fresno State's defense, shooting 52.9% from the field and 40% from three-point range, while the Bulldogs shot just 45.5% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.

The CHD Scout had predicted a Wyoming victory, with the Cowboys winning by 5.5 points. While the final margin was slightly larger than expected, the prediction was ultimately correct, as Wyoming's offense was able to outpace Fresno State's.

The model's accuracy can be attributed to its ability to account for Wyoming's recent struggles, as well as Fresno State's inconsistent play. The Cowboys had been averaging just 68.8 points per game over their last five contests, while the Bulldogs had been outscoring opponents by 5.2 points per game over the same stretch. However, Wyoming's offense was able to find its rhythm against Fresno State, with the Cowboys scoring 92 points, their highest total in six games. The model was also able to account for the defensive struggles of both teams, with Wyoming allowing 77.4 points per game over their last five contests, and Fresno State allowing 76.2 points per game over the same stretch.

The victory was a crucial one for Wyoming, as it improved their record to 14-12 and kept their tournament hopes alive. The Cowboys' NET ranking of 101 is still a ways off from the bubble, but a strong finish to the season could put them in contention. Fresno State, meanwhile, saw their NET ranking drop to 136, making their tournament chances increasingly slim. The Bulldogs' recent form had been promising, with a 3-2 record over their last five games, but their lack of depth and inconsistent play ultimately caught up with them against Wyoming. Over the course of the season, Fresno State has struggled with consistency, with a 12-14 record and a -1.8 point differential per game.

The loss was a significant blow to Fresno State's tournament chances, as it dropped them to 12-14 on the season and left them with a Quad 2 loss. The Bulldogs' NET ranking of 136 is a long way off from the bubble, and they must win out and get some help in order to have any chance of making the tournament. Wyoming, meanwhile, improved their Quad 3 record to 2-4, and their NET ranking of 101 puts them in a decent position to make a push for the tournament. However, the Cowboys must finish the season strong, with a minimum of 3-4 wins in their final 6 games, in order to have any chance of making the tournament. A win over a team like Fresno State, which has a NET ranking of 136, is not particularly impressive, but it is a step in the right direction for Wyoming. The Cowboys' schedule over the final six games is relatively favorable, with four games against teams with NET rankings below 150, but they must take care of business in order to make a push for the tournament.

The game marked a turning point for Wyoming, as they were able to snap a two-game losing streak and get back on track. The Cowboys' recent form had been poor, with a 1-4 record over their last five games, but the victory over Fresno State was a much-needed boost. Fresno State, meanwhile, saw their two-game winning streak come to an end, and they must regroup in order to make a push for the tournament. The Bulldogs' schedule over the final six games is relatively tough, with four games against teams with NET rankings below 100, but they must win at least three of those games in order to have any chance of making the tournament. The loss to Wyoming was a significant blow to Fresno State's tournament chances, but it was not a surprise, given the Bulldogs' inconsistent play and lack of depth. The game was a 10-point victory for Wyoming, but it was a closer contest than the final score would indicate, with the Cowboys ultimately emerging victorious due to their balanced attack and strong play from Meyer and Bennett.