* University of Wyoming Athletics media relations release

LARAMIE -- The Wyoming Cowboys host the Utah Valley Wolverines in a Saturday evening contest to close out the home portion of the non-conference schedule. The game is set for an 8 p.m. start and is available on the Mountain West Network. Both teams received votes in the latest NCAA Coaches' Poll.

The Cowboys and Cowgirls will both host a Teddy Bear Toss this weekend. Fans are asked to bring a stuffed animal to throw on the floor at halftime, as it will benefit Ivinson Memorial Hospital.

Get our free mobile app

Fans may order tickets online at GoWyo.com/tickets, by emailing tickets@uwyo.edu or by calling (307) 766-7220.

Fans can listen to the contest, as well as follow stats on GoWyo.com. The contest will be broadcast live on radio over the 26 affiliate stations of the Cowboy Sports Network, as Reece Monaco will have the call with Kevin McKinney on color.

About The Teams
Wyoming dropped a 94-65 road decision to eighth-ranked Arizona on Wednesday evening. The Cowboys head into the game with an 8-1 record and lead the MW in field goal percentage defense at 38 percent. The Pokes are shooting 49 percent from the field offensively, which ranks second in the conference and No. 29 in the nation. The Pokes lead the conference in total rebounds at 39 per game. The Pokes also take care of the basketball ranking No. 16 in the nation with 10 turnover per game.

The Utah Valley Wolverines are led by third-year head coach Mark Madsen. Prior to his time in Orem, he was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers for six seasons. Utah Valley is 7-2 on the young season, owning a win over nationally ranked BYU. The Wolverines' seven-game win streak was snapped Wednesday night at Southern Utah. The Wolverines were selected to finish fourth in the preseason Western Athletic Conference poll.

About The Players
Wyoming is led in scoring by forward Graham Ike at 20.3 points per game to rank fourth in the conference and No. 24 in the nation. Ike also leads the team grabbing 8.4 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the conference. Guard Hunter Maldonado adds 17.6 points per game and 5.1 rebounds. He also leads the team with 5.3 assists per game, a number that ranks fourth in the conference. Guard Xavier DuSell recorded a career-high 22 points at Arizona. He has 24 threes on the season for the Brown and Gold to rank second behind guard Drake Jeffries' 30.

The Utah Valley Wolverines are unquestionably led by Fardaws Aimaq. He averages a team-high 20.4 points and 14.2 rebounds per game. He ranks second in the nation in rebounding and 21st in scoring. Justin Harmon and Connor Harding add 12.1 and 12.0 points per contest, respectively. Blaze Nield paces the Wolverines with four assists per game. Utah Valley, as a team, rank in the top 25 in rebounding, corralling 41.9 rebounds per contest.

About The Series
Wyoming and Utah Valley have met five times prior to Saturday. The Cowboys lead the series 4-1, having won last season's meeting 93-88 behind Maldonado's 30-point effort.

Up Next
The Wyoming Cowboys take to the road and finish up non-conference play at the Diamond Head Classic. The Pokes open that tournament against Stanford on Dec. 22. That game is set for 3:30 p.m. inside SimpliFi Arena at the Sheriff Center.

UW: University of Wyoming Cowboys’ Greatest Games From the First Decade of the 2000’s

 

More From 7220 Sports