Cowboys Fall Short in Opener of CBI Finals, 91-81

Six Coastal Carolina players scored in double figures, as the Chanticleers took game one of the CBI Championship series 91-81 over Wyoming Monday night.

Coastal Carolina (20-17) took the lead for good after a pair of early lead changes and ties. The Chanticleers built their advantage to 15 before a nine-point, 44-35, edge at halftime.

In the second half, the Cowboys cut the lead to six point three different times, but that’s as close as they got. CCU surged ahead with a 14-5 run capped by Artur Labinowicz’ three-pointer. That made it 83-68 with 2:56 left.

UW head coach Allen Edwards said in a release from the university,

“We have to get better as a program on the road. Coastal Carolina protected their home floor with great energy and physicality. We tried to fight back, but we allowed too many points tonight.”

Jaylen Shaw, Demario Beck and Michel Enanga scored 15 points apiece in the Chanticleers’ victory. As a team, they shot 47 percent for the game and went 8-21, 38 percent, from deep. Coastal Carolina capitalized with 17 second chance points thanks to 18 offensive rebounds. They also scored 18 points off 15 turnovers by UW.

Edwards added, “Coastal Carolina hit three pointers well tonight, and they were great in the paint with their offense rebounding.”

Wyoming (21-15) shot 44 percent from the field. They even knocked down 13 three’s, but that wasn’t enough. Jason McManamen led the way with 19 points. Alan Herndon added 14 points and a career-high five blocked shots. Justin James had 12 points, while Hayden Dalton chipped in 11 with a team-best nine rebounds. The Cowboys got out-rebounded 46-34.

The Pokes got three’s from Herndon and Dalton and trimmed it to 62-56 with 11:40 left. After CCU pushed it back to nine, back came Wyoming. A James jumper cut it to 67-61 at the 8:50. UW got a stop on defense, but missed a three to get closer. A put-back dunk by Herndon pulled the Cowboys within 69-63 with 8:13 left. The Chanticleers missed a jumper, but another missed three by UW led to the last key spurt by CCU.

Wyoming will get another chance at Coastal Carolina in game two of the CBI Finals on Wednesday in Laramie. The game starts at 7 p.m. It’s available on local radio and televised on ESPNU.