GILLETTE, Wyoming (10/18/25) – The University of Wyoming men's basketball team made the trip back to its head coach's hometown an enjoyable one. The Pokes defeated Northern Colorado, 69-65, in an exhibition game on Saturday inside a sold-out Pronghorn Center.

"These (exhibition games) are so important," head coach Sundance Wicks said. "It has been five months since we've gone against somebody else. I'm so grateful for coach Steve Smily and for the town of Gillette – the place that raised me. It was an unbelievable atmosphere, a raucous sellout crowd, standing room only. Where else can you find this other than Wyoming?"

No official stats were kept for either team. Leland Walker did pace the Cowboys with 20 points.

The title sponsor of the event was Cyclone Drilling, Inc. Other game sponsors included White's Frontier Motors, Campbell County Health, Summit OBGYN & Rodney Biggs MD, PC, Luke and Spring Wilkins Family, M & K Oil Company, Hand & Physical Therapy and First National Bank – Gillette.

Contributing sponsors included ERA Priority, Lubnau Law, Earth Work Solutions, Dental Care Center, Inc. and Holiday Inn Express and Candlewood Suites – Gillette. Proceeds from the event will benefit Cowboy Basketball.