LARAMIE – Allyson Fertig recorded another statistical milestone on Wednesday night when she grabbed the 1,000^th rebound of her brilliant career.
 
But the number Cowgirl fans need to know: six.
 
That's home many regular-season home games Wyoming has remaining this season, which means there are only six more guaranteed opportunities to see the homegrown superstar play at the Arena-Auditorium.
 
The crowd of 1,958 in attendance for UW's 66-61 victory over Nevada witnessed an exciting finish that included Fertig becoming the third player in program history to join the 1K rebound club.
 
"I think it was most exciting for my family. They brought the poster and stuff," Fertig said after finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds to hold off the Wolf Pack. "I really put an emphasis on rebounding because it's such an important part of the game. I have been working on that trying to be a better rebounder and it's cool to see that work pay off."
 
Fertig has exactly 1,000 rebounds, trailing only Michele Hoppes (1,104, 1984-87) and Rita Makovicka (1,006, 1980-83) on UW's all-time list.
 
The 6-foot-4 senior from Glendo is ninth in Cowgirl history in scoring (1,541 points), fifth in made field goals (634) and third in blocks (180).
 
Fertig wasn't expecting to be the Mountain West freshman of the year after arriving on campus following a dominant prep career at Douglas High School.
 
"When I came in, I was told by multiple people, you know, you're not going to probably play a lot your first year and stuff like that, it's going to be a big adjustment," Fertig said. "I was expecting that and then when I came here, and the coaches trusted me to play and get my career going my freshman year, it was really amazing. All kudos to my coaches."
 
Now Fertig, a two-time, all-conference first team selection, is vying to be the player of the year. She currently leads the MW in field-goal percentage (.585) and rebounding (9.8 rpg) and is second in scoring (18.3 ppg) and blocks (1.7 bpg).
 
After Wednesday's win, Heather Ezell was asked what it was like to coach Fertig.
 
"It's a hard question to put words to. Al is Wyoming," Ezell said. "She was born a Cowgirl, and she lives and dies with the brown and gold. Just to be able to coach somebody like her that has pride and understands, it hits a little different."
 
Fertig would trade the personal accolades for a MW championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
 
The Cowgirls (10-7 overall, 4-1 MW), after navigating a daunting non-conference slate, are in a three-way tie for second place with Colorado State and New Mexico five games into the MW race.
 
UW plays three-time reigning champion UNLV on Sunday in Las Vegas (2 p.m. CBS Sports Network).
 
The nationally televised showdown is an opportunity for the whole country to see how good Fertig is against the first-place Rebels (14-4, 6-0).
 
"It's exciting because they've been at the top of the league my whole time I've been here, but they're a beatable team just like everyone in the Mountain West," Fertig said. "It's a very competitive conference and I think anyone can beat anyone. We can't go in there thinking like, oh, they're the best and we don't have a chance because we do.
 
"If we play our game and we play Wyoming basketball we can go in there and get a win."
 
The Cowgirls will play at Air Force next Wednesday before hosting rival CSU on Jan. 25 in Fertig's final Border War in the Dome of Doom.
 
"I know her career is not done but, man, it has been a hell of a ride," Ezell said.
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes. 
 
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