In a gritty and decisive matchup, the University of Wyoming Cowboys secured an 81-66 victory over Tennessee State on Sunday afternoon, improving to 2-0 under new head coach Sundance Wicks.
The game marked the Cowboys’ second straight win, powered by standout performances from Obi Agbim and Jordan Nesbitt.
Agbim led all scorers with 24 points, shooting an impressive 10-for-13 from the field and nailing all four of his three-point attempts. Nesbitt contributed 15 points and seven rebounds, sparking key plays during a late-game surge that widened Wyoming’s lead.
Wyoming’s game plan took advantage of their home-court altitude, testing the stamina of Tennessee State, which had just come off an overtime loss to Colorado State.
“[Our strategy was to] make them feel [the altitude] throughout the whole game,” Guard Kobe Newton noted reports.
Wyoming’s defensive pressure contributed to Tennessee State’s struggles, as the Tigers shot just 30% in the first half and only 12.5% from beyond the arc throughout the game.
The Cowboys controlled the pace from the start, entering halftime with a comfortable 43-28 lead. Tennessee State, despite being aggressive on the offensive glass with 15 offensive rebounds and leading Wyoming in total rebounds (40-38), couldn’t match Wyoming’s efficiency. Brandon Weston led the Tigers with 18 points, while Ahmir Langlais posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Despite Tennessee State’s second-half push, Wyoming’s defense held firm, with Agbim and Nesbitt each scoring critical points to halt any potential comeback.
Coach Wicks emphasized that the high altitude was a key factor, a tactic Wyoming will continue to leverage in its home games.
“When people come up here, they’re not used to running up here, but we are,” Wicks said.
7220sports.com, Wyoming Athletics, Tennessee State University Athletics, and FOX Sports contributed to this report.
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