Shockers Dominate on Glass, Send Pokes Packing in NIT Ouster

WICHITA, Kan., -- He may be more invested in "manalytics," but Sundance Wicks is always fully aware of the actual stats, too.

Sunday night, after learning his team would hit the road to face No. 3-seed Wichita State in the opening round of the National Invitational Tournament, Wyoming's head coach warned his staff it would be a long night.

Get our free mobile app

The scout was centered on senior guard Kenyon Giles, and rightly so. He pours in nearly 20 points a night and isn't afraid to pull the trigger anytime, from anywhere on the floor.

A couple of other problematic strengths stuck out on film.

And they showed up again Tuesday night inside Koch Arena.

The Shockers outrebounded the Cowboys by 21, including snagging 17 on the offensive glass. That turned into 18 second-chance points in a 74-70 victory, vaulting WSU into a second-round Saturday road meeting with Oklahoma State.

It didn't help matters that Wyoming shot just 38% from the field. That number was 10 points lower in the first frame. Year 2 of the Wicks' era ends at 18-15 overall.

"Their physicality and rebounding was as advertised," Wicks said, referring to WSU ranking fourth in the nation, reeling in nearly 14.7 offensive boards a night. "... That’s their identity. Identity matters in March."

The visitors, who did manage to take a brief 52-51 lead with 6:05 to play, could never get over the ultimate hurdle and go on an extended run. WSU always seemed to have an answer. The Cowboys always seemed to find a way to stumble, including sinking just 10-of-20 shots from the free-throw line.

Wyoming was outmanned in the paint, 44-30, and turned the ball over 10 times, which turned into another eight points.

TJ Williams connected on 8-of-13 shots from the field and led all scorers with 17. He capped this performance with a double-double, bringing down a team-best 14 rebounds, too. The 6-foot-5 freshman did all that damage in just 18 minutes of work.

Giles drilled a trio of triples and finished his night with 15 points. Wyoming's Damarion Dennis shadowed him throughout, limiting the American Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year to just eight points over the first 20 minutes.

Big men Will Berg and Emmanuel Okorafor both netted nine points and combined for 15 boards.

"We were fortunate," WSU head coach Paul Mills said postgame, referring to his team outlasting the Cowboys despite playing three games in the last four days. "I'm glad we get to continue to play and we'll clean some things up. The first thing we need to do is get some rest. A game like this isn't easy, but we responded right the whole year on our approach after things don't go our way. So, really happy about these guys getting to win No. 23.

Dennis was the Cowboys' most-productive player on both ends, finishing with a team-best 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting. He also added five boards and three assists in the loss. His only blemish was the No. 4 in the turnover column.

Freshman Naz Meyer chipped in with 16, including a dozen on four makes from beyond the arc. Guards Leland Walker and Adam Harakow, along with rookie forward Gavin Gores, all finished with seven points.

Khaden Bennett had a rare off-night, making just one shot from the field to go along with four free throws and a pair of turnovers.

"We will take a lot of pride in having a winning season and we will grow and build off of this," Wicks said. "Our team has been warriors all season and I'm so proud of these guys and who they are as young men. These guys are straight up Cowboys."

A first-round exit means its time to negotiate. Can Wicks and Co. keep the core of this young team? Wyoming has been ravaged by the NCAA Transfer Portal in the previous three seasons, including losing all but two regulars -- Abou Magassa and Matija Belic last April.

The latter underwent what would turn into season-ending ankle surgery last December.

The two-week free-agency window is set to open April 7, the day after the national championship game.