LARAMIE, Wyo. (March 9, 2019) – The Cowboy offense featured five players in double-figures with seniors Justin James and Jordan Naughton combining for 38 in a 88-81 win over New Mexico on Saturday afternoon in the Arena-Auditorium on Senior Day. It marked the first time the Pokes had five play score in double-figures, as the 88 points was a season best.

  "J.J. (Justin James) has been special all year, and tonight was no different," Wyoming head coach Allen Edwards said.  But what we saw tonight was some of the younger and newer members of our team show what they can be in the future.  To watch A.J. Banks have 20 points and five assists,that was a growth moment for him.  (Hunter) Thompson found his shot tonight, and he was really good.  Jordan Naughton was really good in his 17 minutes, and obviously Jake (Hendricks) is always a threat when he is out there on the floor." 
 
 "I thought everybody who got in the game tonight did a good job, especially with the physicality that New Mexico brings to the court," Edwards said.  "We would have rather not given up the 16 offensive rebounds to the Lobos, but I admired the fight of our guys tonight."
 
James led Wyoming with 28 points for the night in his final game in the Arena-Auditorium. He now has 2,030 points and is 20 away from passing Flynn Robinson for third all-time at Wyoming. He is also two points shy of passing Marvelle Harris for fourth all-time in the MW scoring. He also added his 10th double-double of the season with 12 rebound.

 "I love both of those seniors.  I know Jordan (Naughton) has dealt with injuries throughout his career," Edwards said.  "But getting to know him over his career has been a great experience.  Obviously tonight was special for him.  I thought he did a great job finishing around the rim, and protecting the rim on the defensive end. And what can you say about J.J. (Justin James), not just in the way he plays but with the way he has led this group of young guys this season.  He will go down as one of the great Cowboys of all time, and he has been a pleasure to coach."
 
Naughton added 10 points on senior night going a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. Junior guard A.J. Banks added a career-high 20 points and added five assists on the night for a career high. Redshirt Hunter Thompson added 14 points on 3-of-4 from behind the arc and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Junior Jake Hendricks added 11 points and three assists.

The Pokes shot 52 percent from the field on the night and 40 percent from behind the arc. Wyoming was 24-of-29 from the free throw line including 20 in the second half for 83 percent. The Lobos held a 42-30 advantage on the glass and had 18 second chance points.

The Cowboys opened up by taking a 5-0 lead all coming from senior Justin James. New Mexico's Carlton Bragg got the Lobos on the board and scored the next five to make it five all through the first media timeout. A basket by Jake Hendricks ended an almost four minute scoring drought for UW followed by a Hunter Thompson three to extend the lead to five, 11-6. The Lobos scored ten of the next 15 points to even things up at 16 just under 12 minutes in the half.

Over the next four minute stretch, Wyoming increased its lead to eight, 29-21, with a 13-5 run. James would score seven of those points during that time. A three by Vance Jackson slowed down the Cowboys, but a dunk by AJ Banks and free throws by Thompson made it double-digit contest, 34-24, with 6:35 left in the half.

The Lobos stormed back with ten unanswered to tie it up at 34-34, but a brief Cowboy run made it a three point game, 39-36. New Mexico hit back to back buckets to take its first lead of the game 41-39 with 2:28 left on the clock. With time winding down, Banks hit a three to put UW back on top, 42-41, headed in to the break. Both teams shot over 40 percent from the field in the first half. Wyoming was 15-of-32 (.469) from the field while the Lobos were 13-of-29 (.448).

Out of the break, the teams traded scores with neither one gaining a big lead. With the score tied up at 45 all, the Cowboys scored six of seven points to build a six point advantage, 52-46. The Lobos closed the gap to three, 54-51, with 14:13 to go on the clock.

Wyoming kept its composure and behind baskets from Thompson and Brandon Porter made it a seven-point game, 60-53. UNM tried to chip away and closed the gap to four, 64-60, capped off by a Bragg basket. The Cowboys responded with a 6-0 run to increase the lead back to double-figures, 70-60. Mathis hit a three to end an almost four minute scoring drought. UW scored seven of the next nine points to get the lead back to 12, 77-65, with 4:12 left. The Lobos pushed back and had two baskets and a pair of free throws to make it 77-71.  Wyoming hit 11 of 12 free throws to close out and on to the 88-81 victory.

The Pokes return to action on Wednesday as the tenth seed heading in to the Mountain West Championship in Las Vegas