LARAMIE – Wyoming tuned up for the 2025-26 regular season with an impressive 111-63 victory over the College of Idaho in an exhibition game on Saturday at the Arena-Auditorium.
Nasir (Naz) Meyer (18 points),
Damarion Dennis (12 points),
Khaden Bennett (12 points) and
Uriyah Rojas (11 points) scored in double figures for the Cowboys, who were coming off a 69-65 exhibition win over Northern Colorado on Oct. 18 in Gillette.
The Pokes shot 56.2% from the field, finished with a 64-26 scoring advantage in the paint, 21 fast-break points and 30 points off 19 turnovers.
UW second-year head coach
Sundance Wicks' Relentless Pressure for 40 Minutes (RP40) style he wants this deep team to play at 7,220 feet is off to a flying start.
"RP40 is a mentality, it's an identity and it's a lot of trust for me in the players to make the right decision in the open floor," Wicks said. "We've got some players that can play right now. We have to be selfless enough to go, it could be somebody's night tonight but not mine, but it could be mine tomorrow, because we've got so many guys out there that can play basketball.
"That's the way it was built was intentionally. We want a competitive roster, and we want best on best every single day in practice. That's makes us better when we go play games."
The Cowboys seized control of the reigning NAIA champions with a 15-0 run in the first half capped with a 3-pointer by Bennett to make the score 30-10.
Gavin Gores added back-to-back dunks to extend the UW lead to 45-14.
Neil Summers, a freshman from Laramie, scored all eight of his points in the second half to the delight of the crowd.
The Yotes were led by Dougie Peoples with 22 points.
"It felt great. The fans were great," said Meyer, one of 12 Cowboys making their home debut. "We're already used to the elevation, so I feel that wore on our opponent. I think it was a great day."
Saturday's Jae Foundation game celebrated the partnership between UW Athletics and the non-profit focused on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
The Jae Foundation, founded in memory of Jae Bob Bing, focuses on educating the Wyoming and Idaho communities about mental health and suicide prevention, particularly among young people.
A signature part of the Jae Foundation approach involves donating cowboy boots, which serve as conversation starters about real-life issues.
"Sometimes we get caught up in our own busy lives and we only worry about ourselves and stop checking on others," Wicks said. "But a boot check is not only important for me, I always say check on the guys that have all the energy in the world and act like they have it figured out, but it's important for everybody in your circle – your family, your friends.
"You just never know when that moment when you decide to do it versus not to do it, how that can impact somebody's life. Never underestimate your potential impact. That's what these boots are about. "
UW will open the season against Northern State, Wicks' alma mater, on Nov. 3 at the Arena-Auditorium.
