Taming the Tigers

Bryn Lewis reported from the Saturday, January 31st nail-biter game against Stivers.

Watching the Stivers' Tigers warm up and seeing how tall they were and how may could dunk, this was going to be a real test.

The game started off and soon after Walker Lewis jumped a passing lane for a steal and a pass to Lonnie Grayson for a quick two, 2-0.  Fifteen seconds later Jake Edmonds grabbed a D rebound. A minute later, Jake grabbed another D rebound.  At the 5:10 mark, Garyn found an open Jake for a three, 5-2. Twenty seconds later, Mason Rogers grabbed a D rebound.  Walker grabbed a D rebound. Nate Lowe got a steal. Garyn got a block.  With a minute to go, Wyoming had 7 fouls.  With seconds to go in the qtr., Jake found Hudson Rogers for two, 7-10 Stivers.

In the 2nd, the Tigers had a little run until, at the 4:33 mark, Walker got an open three, top left, to stop the bleeding, 10-15. The defense was able to keep the Tigers from getting the ball inside where their height could be an advantage. At the 3:30 mark, Walker to Jake to Hudson inside for two, 12-15. Lonnie had another needed D rebound and 40 seconds later had another. Around two minutes to go in the half, Jake scrambled for a loose ball and soon after Mason was fouled getting the Tigers to 7 fouls.  Mason made both, 14-15. At the 1:20 mark, Mason underneath dished to Lonnie outside for three, 17-15.  With just seconds to go in the half, Walker got a putback.  First half final: 19-15.

The 3rd continued with the defensive effort and Walker and Lonnie both had D rebounds. Mason drove inside for two, 21-15. A minute later, Jake dished to Walker in the corner for three, 24-17. Just under five minutes to go and Mason found Garyn who got net for three, 27-17.  At the 3:14 mark, Garyn took a charge and soon after Cowboy defense caused another change of possession with pressure. At 2:18, Mason was fouled on a lay-up and made both, 29-21.  The qtr. ended 29-24.

Twenty seconds in to the 4th, Lonnie got a 2nd effort two, 31-24. At 6:30, Lonnie got a putback, 33-24, but soon after Wyoming had 7 fouls.Just under6 minutes to go and Walker hit a three, 36-27. Stivers got a few until Lonnie drove the lane for two, 38-32. Under three to go, Mason nabbed a D rebound. At 1:36 to go, Lonnie was fouled away and made 1+1, 40-37. The last five minutes were really about great and secure ball movement by the Cowboys.  Final 40-39 Wyoming.

Two stats stand out; Lonnie had 12 rebounds and the Cowboys had, possibly a season low, 8 assists.  All in all, a great win on a night when the opponent had a height advantage and shooting had an off-night.

Thanks to Bryn Lewis for the report