FULLERTON, Calif. — The University of Wyoming Cowboys basketball team rallied for a combined 73 points to get the win over a Cal State Fullerton squad in an early Christmas game Sunday night. The final score was 73–69.
Senior guard Kobe Newton, who transferred to Wyoming from a college near Fullerton this season, led the way with 20 points, including five 3-point shots.
Also in the double-digit points club are Obi Agbim, Touko Tainamo and Jordan Nesbitt, who racked up 16, 13 and 11, respectively.
According to UW Athletics, in response to nearly blowing a 19-point lead and losing the game, Wyoming head coach Sundance Wicks alluded to the win being a Christmas present for Pokes fans.
“It’s just really hard. You watch a lot of games at Christmas and you see teams win by 20 and lose by 20, win by 40 and lose by 40. You never know what you’re going to get in your Christmas stocking when you play a game on [Dec.] 22 or 23,” Wicks said. “We told our guys we want you to play present before you open presents.”
That Christmas present came close to being a dud when the Cal State Fullerton Titans brought the score to 71–69 with less than eight seconds remaining — a score low enough with plenty of time to spare to put the nail in the Cowboys’ coffin.
Thankfully for the Pokes, junior forward Matija Belic scored two and blocked an attempted comeback in the final seconds.
A full statistical breakdown, including field goal percentages, free throw percentages and more, is available to view at the UW Athletics web page.
The Pokes will travel back home to Laramie after Christmas for a conference home opener against the Nevada Wolf Pack Dec. 28 at the Arena Auditorium. They are currently 8–4 for the season.
