Wyoming Holds Off San José State 66-62

Wyoming's Damarion Dennis delivered a crucial performance, scoring 16 points to propel the Cowboys to a 66-62 win over San José State at the Arena-Auditorium. The victory marked a strong team effort, with Gavin Gores and Leland Walker also making significant contributions, scoring 15 and 13 points, respectively. Gores added 6 rebounds, while Walker grabbed 7, helping Wyoming control the boards.

The Cowboys dominated the first half, taking a 31-23 lead into the break. However, San José State refused to back down, mounting a fierce comeback in the second half. The Spartans' Sadraque NgaNga led the charge, scoring 14 points and pulling down 6 rebounds. Jermaine Washington also chipped in with 14 points, and Colby Garland added 10 points and 7 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cowboys' early advantage.

Wyoming's ability to withstand San José State's second-half surge was a reflection of their resilience. The Cowboys built on their halftime lead, extending it to as many as 10 points before the Spartans made a late push. Despite being outscored 39-35 in the second half, Wyoming's strong first-half performance ultimately was the difference.

CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Wyoming winning by 13.4 points, but the actual margin of victory was a much closer 4 points. Although the prediction was correct in terms of the winner, the margin was significantly narrower than expected. This outcome highlights the competitive nature of the game and the challenges that Wyoming faced in securing the win.

The victory has real consequences for Wyoming's tournament resume. As a Quadrant 4 win, it may not be the most impressive result, but it is still a valuable addition to their portfolio. With a current net ranking of 100, the Cowboys want to build on this momentum and secure more substantial wins to bolster their chances of making a deep postseason run.

For San José State, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, but it is classified as a Quadrant 2 game, which means it will not hurt their resume as much as a loss to a lower-ranked opponent might. The Spartans want to regroup and focus on their upcoming games, seeking to improve their net ranking of 259 and make a push for a stronger finish to the season.

Ultimately, Wyoming's win over San José State demonstrates their ability to perform under pressure and secure important victories. As the season progresses, the Cowboys must continue to demonstrate this resilience and ability to close out games in order to achieve their tournament aspirations.