[CSG PRINT] Wyoming comeback kids to take on Air Force
Wyoming’s late-game heroics on Saturday should serve as an example for Air Force.
The Cowboys trailed for the entire game against Colorado State before overcoming an 11-point deficit with 51 seconds remaining to force overtime. Wyoming’s Akuel Kot then converted on a four-point play in the final 30 seconds of overtime to give his team a 79-76 win.
A situation like Saturday’s is rare. The Cowboys are one of just five teams ever to win after trailing by 11+ points with less than a minute remaining.
Still, the Cowboys’ miraculous comeback should guide Air Force, which has struggled in late-game situations.
“The game’s never over,” Air Force coach Joe Scott said. “The game’s always up for grabs. You can’t get discouraged.”
The Falcons host the cardiac Cowboys on Tuesday. Air Force (8-11, 1-6) swept last season’s series against Wyoming, as the Cowboys finished last place in the Mountain West.
Wyoming has shown great improvement in 2023-24, though.
The Cowboys (11-9, 4-3) have already surpassed their win total from last year, when they finished 9-21. Senior Sam Griffin, a transfer from Tulsa, is the Mountain West’s second-leading scorer, averaging 18.7 points per game.
While Wyoming is much-improved, the Falcons enter Tuesday with confidence. They earned their first conference win in a 90-58 road blowout against UNLV.
“We went out and played a really good game,” Scott said.
As thrilled as Scott was about the UNLV win, he knows the 32-point margin is a unicorn. Winning handily against quality conference opponents won’t be the norm, regardless of how well Air Force plays — so the Falcons need to improve in close games.
Air Force is 3-7 in games decided by single digits. The Falcons are 5-4 in double-digit contests.
Most recently, the Falcons lost 84-70 to Fresno State a few days after the UNLV win.
While it was a double-digit final margin, the Falcons were in contention for most of the game. Air Force led 34-30 at halftime but couldn’t sustain the advantage, allowing a 20-6 run to open the second half.
Whether it was against Nevada, Colorado State, San Jose State or Fresno State, the late-game struggles have cost Air Force too many times in league play.
“It’s called being in the game, playing 40 minutes,” Scott said. “Not having anything discourage you. You have to be invested.
“The teams that are good in this league know how to win close games. You have to learn how to win by two. Four. Six.”
Wyoming is 7-0 in games decided by single-digits. Saturday’s thriller was just one example of the Cowboys’ late-game prowess.
Against a team that is really good in close games, Air Force will need to quickly fix these struggles.
“It’s these three-possession swings,” Scott said. “I honestly don’t question our guys’ confidence. Now we have to do it now.”
Air Force’s Ethan Taylor dribbles to the key against Wyoming in January.
Air Force’s Rytis Petraitis attempts a layup against Wyoming on Jan. 17.
Air Force’s Rytis Petraitis attempts to secure a rebound against Wyoming on Jan. 17.
