Pokes Torch Nets in 94-68 Exhibition Victory over UNC

GILLETTE -- The university didn't provide specifics from Sunday exhibition opener: Points, assists, steals, etc.

Remember, this is still a "super-secret scrimmage."

That is unless you were one of the 3,000-plus fans to squeeze into Gillette's Pronghorn Center to witness firsthand the Cowboys' 94-68 dismantling of Northern Colorado.

“I thought the guys came out with really good poise,” Wyoming head coach Sundance Wicks, a Campbell County native, said postgame. “I've got to get these guys to believe they can be as good as they can be, and they came out with right mindset and mentality. Overall pleased with our ability to take care of the ball and execute."

Veteran guards Naz Meyer and Khaden Bennett, along with forward Gavin Gores, combined for more than 40 of the Pokes' points in this lopsided win over Steve Smiley's Bears. UW did divulge that the "home" team did indeed claim the battle of the glass and lead in assists.

That shouldn't be a surprise.

Wyoming shot better than 50% from the field and beyond the arc. Wicks' Cowboys got even better in the second frame, eclipsing 60% from the floor. Everyone on the roster got in on the action in the Energy Capital of the World, including Madden Smiley, son of UNC's head coach.

The Cowboys will face TCU next Saturday at Midland College in another exhibition meeting. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. Mountain Time and the game is free to all fans.

“It is a great opportunity for us and we will be playing a high major opponent to test us early,” Wicks said in August when this meeting with the Horned Frogs was announced. “To go down and play in Midland, I know we have some Pokes fans that represent the Brown and Gold in Texas, it will be a chance for us to get some experience against a well-coached team in TCU.”

* A UW press release contributed to this report

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