Dec. 16, 2006
Box Score
LAMARIE, Wyo - Junior Darren Hopkins scored 18 points to lead the Cardinals, however Wyoming used a big second half for a come-from-behind 69-64 win over Lamar University in non-conference men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at Arena-Auditorium.
Lamar dropped to 4-7 overall and Wyoming improved to 8-2 overall. The Cardinals return home to host Northern Illinois Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at the Montagne Center in their final game before the Christmas holiday.
The Cardinals led for much of the game, taking a 34-27 lead into the locker room at halftime. Lamar shot 50 percent from the field in the opening stanza, compared to 32 percent by Wyoming.
It was almost a complete reversal in the second half. The Cowboys shot 46.7 percent from the field in the second half compared to 29 percent by Lamar. Wyoming also enjoyed a big advantage at the free throw line, making 21 of 32 compared to Lamar, who was 13 of 20 at the charity stripe.
Aside from scoring the first basket of the game, Wyoming didn't take another lead until Daaron Brown made a layup at 9:34 that gave the Cowboys a 50-49 advantage. A pair of free throws by Brad Jones extended the Wyoming lead to five, 57-52, at 6:50.
A Lamar Sanders three-pointer at 4:05 cut the lead to two, 59-57. Hopkins' three-pointer at 2:11 pulled the Cardinals to within one, 61-60. Jones answered for Wyoming with a jumper from the left wing to push the lead to 63-60.
Brandon Ewing hit the biggest shot of the game, a three-pointer with 59 seconds remaining that put the Cowboys up 66-60. Ewing made 3 of 4 free throws to seal the win.
Hopkins was 7 of 12 from the field, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range in scoring his 18 points. James Davis added 17 points and seven rebounds. Sanders grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
Lamar shot 38.6 percent (22-of-57) from the field, 46.7 percent (7-of-15) from 3-point range and 65 percent (13-of-20) from the free throw line. The Cardinals committed 20 turnovers, but outrebounded Wyoming 43 to 34.
James Spencer led Wyoming with 18 points. Brown and Ewing added 14 points each. Jones grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and scored eight points.
Wyoming shot 40 percent (22-of-55) from the field, 28.6 percent (4-of-14) from 3-point range and 65.6 percent (21-of-32) from the free throw line.
