The Wyoming Cowboys dominated the court, outpacing the South Dakota State Jackrabbits with a final score of 87-72. This victory marked a strong start to the non-conference slate, with Wyoming finishing 9-2 after the win. The game was held at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on December 15, 2025. The Cowboys' head coach, Sundance Wicks, emphasized the importance of road wins, stating, 'The job is not done, and we have to prove we can go on the road and win a game.'
Wyoming's stellar performance was highlighted by their impressive shooting accuracy. They made 54 field goals, while the Jackrabbits only managed 40%. The Cowboys also showcased their prowess from the free-throw line, hitting 17 out of 20 shots for an impressive 85%. In the second half, they maintained their lead with a 55% field goal percentage.
Several key players contributed to Wyoming's success. Nasir (Naz) Meyer led the team with 25 points, making 10 out of 14 field goals and adding four three-pointers. Khaden Bennett added 11 points, going 6-of-6 from the line and leading the team with nine rebounds. Leland Walker contributed 13 points and five assists, while Matija Belic added 10 points and six rebounds.
The game began with a slow start, with both teams scoring only one bucket each in the first two and a half minutes. However, Wyoming's Kiani Saxon and Meyer's triple gave them an early 7-2 lead. The Cowboys then went on a 6-0 run, taking a 13-5 lead with under 15 minutes left in the first half. Damarion Dennis capped the run with an and-one play, extending their lead to 16-6.
Despite Wyoming's strong start, the Jackrabbits made a 7-0 run to narrow the gap to 20-15. However, the Cowboys went scoreless for 10 minutes, allowing South Dakota State to cut the lead to single digits. Meyer's second triple and Simm-Marten Saadi's additional triple helped Wyoming regain control, leading 29-17 with six minutes left in the half.
The Cowboys continued to extend their lead in the second half, pushing it to 43-29. Meyer and Saxon contributed to this run, with Saxon adding a free throw. Belic's and-one play and Bennett's free throws further solidified Wyoming's dominance, leading 48-31 with under 18 minutes left.
Wyoming's momentum continued, with Meyer finding Gavin Gores for a 6-0 run, extending their lead to 54-33 with under 16 minutes remaining. Abou Magassa and Bennett's triple put the Cowboys up 61-38. South Dakota State responded with a 9-0 run, but Walker's three-pointer halted the run, and the Jackrabbits quickly made a 5-0 run to narrow the gap to 12 points.
Meyer's acrobatic jumper and a 10-0 run by the Pokes took the lead to 74-52 with six minutes left. Walker and Bennett both reached double figures during this run. Wyoming's pressure and strong play in the paint ultimately secured their 87-72 victory.
The Jackrabbits were led by Kalen Garry and Jaden Jackson, who each scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, and hit four three-pointers each.
