Pokes Fall To CU 58-63

Sophomore guard Josh Adams tied a career-high with 15 points and the University of Wyoming men's basketball team was within one point of Colorado in the final two minutes, but the Buffs made free throws down the stretch to scratch out a 63-58 win in the Coors Events Center. The loss broke a six-game winning streak over Colorado (2-1) for the Cowboys (1-1) and was UW's first loss in Boulder since 1991.

After four ties and three lead changes in the second half, the Buffs took a 48-47 lead with six minutes left in the game. Colorado extended the lead to as many as five, but Wyoming fought back to 57-56 with 1:47 left. The Pokes missed on their following offensive possession though, and CU was able to make it a two possession game with 30 seconds left and made free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

Adams' night came on 5-of-8 from the field, as he tied a career high with 3 treys, and added three rebounds. Junior forward Larry Nance Jr. added 10 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal for his second-consecutive game in double-figure points. Junior guard Riley Grabau posted a team-high five assists and redshirt junior guard Charles Hankerson Jr. added four.

Wyoming outshot Colorado in all three categories, as the Pokes hit 43 percent (20-of-46) from the field, 33 percent (7-of-21) beyond the arc and 73 percent (11-of-15) at the free throw line. The Buffs connected on 40 percent (18-of-45), 25 percent (3-of-12) and 72 percent (24-of-33), respectively. CU outrebounded Wyoming 35-24 and committed just 19 fouls to 29 for the Pokes.

The Buffs came out fast and took the advantage early through the first eight minutes, but a switch to zone defense by Wyoming put the brakes on the CU offense. The Cowboys trailed 17-14 at the 10-minute mark, but went on a 14-1 run over the next seven minutes to scratch out a double-digit lead at 28-18. Wyoming held the Buffs to just one field goal over the final 9:50 of the first half. Treys from Adams and redshirt senior guard Jerron Granberry put the momentum squarely with UW, but CU cut the lead to 31-26 at halftime.

Granberry paced Wyoming with seven points in the first half, while Adams added six and Grabau and Hankerson both had five. The Cowboys shot 48 percent (12-of-25) from the field and 50 percent (5-of-10) beyond the arc, while holding the Buffs to 32 percent (8-of-25) and 25 percent (2-of-8), respectively. Colorado outrebounded Wyoming 20-14, but committed eight turnovers to just five for the Pokes.

Wyoming continues its season by hosting Arkansas State at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the Arena-Auditorium.