(UW Athletics release)
LARAMIE, Wyo. – The Cowboys return to action for the first time in 10 days facing East Tennessee State in the opener of the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Friday at 5 p.m. It will be the first meeting between the schools.
Fans can listen to the game and follow stats on GoWyo.com. The game will be broadcast live on radio over the 25 affiliate stations of the Cowboy Sports Network, as Dave Walsh and Kevin McKinney will call the action. No streams will be available for contests not involving UTEP.
Wyoming was in action last on Dec. 11 falling to Denver in overtime by a score of 90-87. The Cowboys erased a 14-point deficit to force extra time in that contest. Wyoming has shot the three-ball well as of late hitting 31 triples in its last three games. The Pokes have shot 48 percent from behind the arc during that stretch.
Wyoming is shooting 36 percent for the season from the three-point line ranking fifth in the Mountain West. Wyoming is shooting 43 percent from the field on the season. UW averages 74.5 points per game on the year with the opposition pouring in 78.8.
East Tennessee State is 8-4 overall after falling to Illinois by a score of 73-55 last Saturday afternoon. ETSU averages an impressive 42.8 rebounds per game, which ranks tenth in the nation. The Buccaneers also add 78.1 points per game and hold the opposition to 65.8 points per game.
ETSU is shooting 47 percent from the field and 36 percent from behind the three point line. The Bucs have hit 100 three-pointers this season. An offensive program, ETSU averages 14.5 offensive rebounds per game.
Wyoming is led by senior Justin James in scoring, rebounding and assists. He ranks eighth in the nation and leads the MW in scoring at 24.3 points per game. He is also grabbing 9.8 rebounds per game and adds 8.3 of those defensively, ranking sixth in the nation. James also adds 4.3 assists per night for fifth in the MW.
Junior Jake Hendricks adds 13.1 points per night, as he ranks second in the MW averaging 3.2 threes per game. He scored 27 points against Denver, a career-high. He also added a career-best mark of seven three pointers in the game. Redshirt freshman Hunter Thompson adds 12.2 points per night. He tied a career-best with 15 points against Denver.
ETSU is led in scoring by Tray Boyd at 12 points per game. He also ranks second on the team with 29 three pointers. The Buccaneers second leading scorer is Patrick Good, as he leads the team with 36 triples on the year. Jeromy Rodriquez leads the team and ranks third in the nation grabbing 11.9 rebounds per game. He also adds 11.3 points per game.
Friday’s game marks the first meeting between the two schools.
The Cowboys will wrap up play at the Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational on Saturday against either Norfolk State or UTEP at a time to be determined.
