Three Cowboys scored in double figures, as Wyoming stayed undefeated with a 77-67 victory over South Dakota State Saturday night in Laramie.

Justin James scored 18 points, Jason McManamen had 16 points and Alexander Aka Gorski added 15 points. Hayden Dalton contributed nine points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Head coach Allen Edwards was happy to get the victory and especially pleased about his team's defensive performance in the second half.

Wyoming (3-0) took control with a 9-2 spurt midway through the second half. James scored on back-to-back possessions, Cody Kelly added a jumper and McManamen knocked down a three-pointer. The Cowboys’ lead went from 49-45 to 58-47 in about two minutes. The Jackrabbits never pulled closer than seven points the rest of the way.

As a team, UW shot 44 percent from the field, which included 50 percent in the second half. The Pokes had 16 assists on 24 made field goals. They also knocked down ten 3-pointers and went 19-for-27 at the foul line.

South Dakota State (1-3) was led by Mike Daum’s game-high 24 points. He also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds before he fouled out with 20.7 seconds left. The Jackrabbits shot only 34.5 percent from the floor, but only 23 percent in the second half. They out-rebounded the Cowboys 43-32, but had 14 turnovers.

The two teams combined for 67 attempts from 3-point range.

The first half featured six lead changes and four ties. UW got up by eight points about six minutes in, but South Dakota State rallied and gained a six-point lead. It was 32-26 Jackrabbits with just under five minutes left. The Cowboys finished the half on a 10-3 run. McManamen’s 3-pointer with 50 seconds left gave them the lead for good. It was 36-35 at halftime.

Wyoming returns to the court Tuesday at Pacific. Game time is at 8 p.m., Mountain Time.

Extra Game Notes

Wyoming head coach Allen Edwards became the first Cowboys' first-year head coach to start 3-0 since Larry Shyatt accomplished the feat in the 1997-98 season.

Jason McManamen scored in double figures for the 30th game in his career.

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