Wyoming Beats New Mexico at the Buzzer

Francisco 'Paco' Cruz put up a third chance shot as time expired to give the Cowboys a 67-66 win over New Mexico on Saturday at the Arena-Auditorium.

Wyoming got the ball with 24 seconds left in the game after New Mexico senior Dairese Gary hit 2 free-throws to put the Lobos up 66-65.  With 7 seconds remaining Cruz missed a 3-pointer, Daylen Harrison got the rebound and missed a jumper from the short corner with 2 seconds remaining and Cruz found the ball in his hands with just enough time for one last shot from outside the paint.  After an official review from the refs, the bucket was counted and Wyoming had its' first conference win of the season.

"I feel like that means that we can beat anybody in this league, we're capable to do that, we're playing really good as a team."  -Paco Cruz

Cruz chipped in 7 points and 2 rebounds in his 40 minutes of play.

Significant contributions came from two unexpected sources on Saturday in Harrison and Adam Waddell.

Daylen Harrison led the Cowboys with a career-high 17 points.  He went 6-for-7 from the field and 3-for-3 beyond the arc, including a buzzer beater at the half which put Wyoming up 35-34.

Waddell posted season-highs with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.  He recorded his 500th point and said his ankle is feeling better than it has in a very long time:

"I think the Christmas break that we had really helped it out. It has been frustrating, but this week is the first week I've been able to really explode off of it and really play." -Adam Waddell

Desmar Jackson reached double-figures for the 13th straight game Saturday with 15 points.  JayDee Luster spent most of the game in foul trouble and Jackson was needed to direct the Cowboys on offense, especially after Luster fouled out with 3:22 to go in the close game.  Head Coach Heath Schroyer thought Jackson played really big:

"Des the last four minutes, was the best he's played, because he just managed the game and let the game come to him and that was nice to see." -Head Coach Heath Schroyer

The win over New Mexico (12-4, 0-1) gives Wyoming an 8-8 overall record and a 1-1 mark in Mountain West Conference play.  The Pokes shot 65 percent from the field and 72.7 percent from the free-throw line, making it the eighth game this season that they have shot over 70 percent from the line.

New Mexico was led by Gary with 24 points. No other Lobo scored in double-figures.  Saturday's win by Wyoming snaps 14-game MWC winning streak for New Mexico.

Wyoming's next game will be in Fort Worth, TX where the Cowboys will play TCU on Wed., Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m. Coverage will begin on Y95 at 5:00 p.m.