Josh Adams scored 31 points, but the Wyoming Cowboys lost their second straight, 79-74, at UNLV Saturday night in Las Vegas.

It was the Pokes 15th straight loss to the Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Wyoming (13-17, 6-11) took their first lead with 9:39 left on a steal and three-point play by Josh Adams. That put UW ahead 54-52. After the teams traded the lead, a pair of three-pointers by UNLV’s Jerome Seagears put the Rebels in front for good with 3:45 left. Derrick Jones Jr. had a three-point play and key block in the final 90 seconds. Add to that, UNLV made six of eight free throws that preserved the win.

The Cowboys rallied from a horrid start. They went 0-10 from the field to begin the game. UW trailed 9-0 and 12-1. Then eventually got down by 12 points before Wyoming pulled within 37-33 by halftime.

In a release from UW, head coach Larry Shyatt said,

“They did about everything they could to put this game in hand. I believe we finally took the lead with about nine minutes to play. Some untimely turnovers, but I have never been prouder of a ball club.”

Adams added five rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks. It was his ninth 30-point effort of the season. Adams moved into second all-time for points scored in a single season with 694.

Jason McManamen added 19 points. The Pokes shot 41 percent from the floor. They had 13 turnovers that led to 16 points for the Rebels.

UNLV (17-13, 8-9) had four players in double figures. They were led by Jones Jr. with 23 points and nine rebounds. The Rebels shot 46 percent from the field and went 24-34, 71 percent, at the foul line.

Shyatt added from the release, “Make no mistake you guys will go out and compete hard for Josh Adams on Wednesday night.”

Wyoming returns home to face San Jose State Wednesday at 7 p.m. MT in the Arena-Auditorium. Adams will be honored on Senior Night in the Cowboys last regular-season game.

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