FORT COLLINS — Colorado State freshman forward Logan Ryan released a 3-point shot from the corner that clanked off iron as the clock neared zero and a most difficult day for Rams basketball became decidedly worse.
Wyoming defeated CSU 91-86 in double overtime Wednesday night with Ryan’s last-ditch effort the final straw. The Rams (10-14, 3-8 Mountain West) have now lost five consecutive games. Wyoming (15-7, 6-3) has won four straight — including its third consecutive victory in overtime, improving to 6-0 in OT. The back-and-fourth affair featured eight lead changes in a game decided by several significant scoring swings in regulation and dynamic overtime performances.
The Cowboys cashed in the opening basket of the night and then hit a significant drought. CSU sprinted out to a 15-0 run over the next six-plus minutes and led by 14 points midway through the first half. But Wyoming took control before the break with a 22-6 run of its own while CSU sputtered offensively. The Cowboys led 32-30 at halftime.
CSU regained the driver’s seat quickly in the second half, hitting four of its first five shots from behind the arc to boost its advantage back to double digits — 16 with 5:31 remaining. And, once again, the Cowboys surged back. When guard Nyaires Redding cashed in a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left, it tied the game at 72 to force overtime.
In the first extra period, CSU guard Anthony Bonner converted a three-point play after getting fouled on a layup to put the Rams up three at the 1:41 mark, and this time Wyoming forward Hayden Dalton played Cowboy hero with a clutch shot behind the arc to force another overtime tied at 80. The final five minutes featured fewer dramatics with Wyoming taking an early lead it would not relinquish.
CSU had two players record double-doubles: Deion James (24 points and 14 rebounds) and Nico Carvacho (10 points and 13 rebounds). Dalton led all scorers with 26 points.
The Rams were once again without their leading scorers with injury: Prentiss Nixon (ankle) and J.D. Paige (hand). CSU coach Larry Eustachy — whose program is under investigation as part of a “climate assessment” — remains one victory shy of second place for all-time career victories, and is currently tied at 121 with Stew Morrill.
Up next for CSU is a 6 p.m. Saturday tipoff against Nevada at home and the game with be featured as a “White Out” for fans at Moby Arena. Wyoming hosts Fresno State at noon on Saturday.