LARAMIE, Wyo. (Nov. 25, 2025) – The Wyoming Cowgirls displayed an efficient offense and played strong defense Tuesday as it was another successful Education Day at the Arena-Auditorium. The Cowgirls defeated Chadron State 75-38 in front of over 5,000 elementary aged kids. The 75 points are a season-high for Wyoming, as were the 21 assists.
"It's nice to get back on the winning track," said Head Coach Heather Ezell.
"The biggest piece I think, is it was nice for a handful of players to just see the ball go in the basket today. To get that nice feeling back with that piece. We still had a couple of missed layups, but I thought we were a lot more efficient today around the rim."
Wyoming got off to a solid start, making its first two shots of the contest to grab the early lead. After Chadron hit a 3-pointer, the Cowgirls got back-to-back layups to help on their way to a 12-6 advantage at the first media timeout. Out of the timeout, the UW defense continued to play well as it lengthened the lead to 18-8. The Eagles were able to bank in a deep 3-pointer as time expired in the first quarter to make it 18-11 after one.
After CSC opened the scoring in the second quarter, the Cowgirls got the next seven points to go back up by double digits. The Wyoming lead was 25-15 at the media timeout. After a quick three points from the Cowgirls, Chadron State called a timeout with 4:10 remaining in the half. Malene Pedersen put her imprint on the game after that, scoring seven straight to force another CSC timeout as the lead ballooned to 35-17 with 1:41 left in the second. Pedersen's run climbed to 10 consecutive before the end of the half as the Wyoming lead was 38-19 at the break.
The third quarter continued with more Pedersen points as she opened the second half with her third 3-pointer of the game. With the hoop, Pedersen eclipsed the 20-point mark for the first time in 2025-26 and the 10th time in her career. The Wyoming lead got up to as many as 27 in the frame and was 48-23 at the media timeout. Following the timeout, the Eagles chipped away at the deficit before back-to-back Cowgirl timeouts led to another Chadron State timeout with UW leading 52-27 with 2:42 left in the frame. Wyoming led 58-32 after three complete.
Pedersen opened the scoring in the fourth with a layup as her big day continued. The Wyoming lead ballooned to as many as 38 in the fourth. UW emptied the bench in the last couple of minutes as all available Cowgirls played in Tuesday's victory. Nine different Cowgirls scored in the victory.
The Cowgirls shot 48.4-percent from the floor and hit six 3-pointers in the win. Wyoming held Chadron State to just 26-percent from the floor and 2-of-23 from beyond-the-arc. UW also enjoyed a 46-20 advantage in points in the paint and had 16 points off 20 Eagle turnovers. The Cowgirls were also plus-13 on the boards. Wyoming assisted on 21 of 31 made field goals in the victory.
Pedersen was one off her career high as she scored 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting and 4-for-7 from 3-point range. The 11 field goals are a career-best for Pedersen, who also added six rebounds, three assists and a steal. Henna Sandvik also scored in double figures, putting in 12 points on 6-of-12 from the floor.
Payton Muma scored nine and dished out three assists on the day. Logann Alvar, Lana Beslic and Heidur Karlsdottir added six points each. Beslic had a strong all-around game as she led Wyoming with seven boards and recorded a career-high six assists.
Wyoming returns to action Saturday with another home contest, this time against South Dakota for a 1 p.m., tip.
-WYO-