The Marcus Dawson Story

[coachdubs]

January 3, 2023
Laramie Boomerang
Cowboys Dominate in MWC Opener, Run Away From the Spartans

Laramie, Wyoming--The Wyoming Cowboys defeated San Jose State in both teams' MWC opener at the Arena-Auditorium, running away with an 89-70 win, which saw them dominate in the second half outscoring the Spartans 50-33.
Marius Baxter proved to be the star of the show, leading all scorers with a career-high 25 points, knocking down five 3-point shots in his dominant performance. Clifton Tahid provided nice support contributing 12 points and eight rebounds, and Robinson McFall made significant contributions from the bench with 12 points, three rebounds, and two blocks in 13 minutes of play.
The Cowboys scorched the nets inside the Arena-Auditorium, shooting 55% from the field and from behind the arc and hitting 15-19 free throws, underling the team's confidence and unfaltering ability to pressure their opponents.
Coach Dawson also praised the efforts of Germaine Fields, who contributed 7 assists in the game helping the Pokes be efficient on the offensive side of the ball. "Germaine has come in and played extremely well taking over for Branden. His minutes during Branden's absence will play huge dividends when Branden gets back from his injury. Germaine's vision and execution have been invaluable, and he was instrumental in our success tonight," stated Coach Dawson in his post-game press conference.
San Jose State started the game strong, taking a 28-20 lead with 7:29 left in the first half. But after a time-out to adjust and make corrections, the Cowboys roared back, ending the first half on a 19-9 run and carried the momentum through the second half.
Coach Dawson commented on their first-half performance, saying, "We didn't start as well as we hoped to, but we kept our composure. We knew what we needed to do, and we came out with a renewed focus and energy. The team's resiliency and adaptability are what make them a force to be reckoned with.

[coachdubs]

January 5, 2023
Laramie Boomerang
Fresno State's Clutch Free Throws Down the Stretch Hands Wyoming a 92-89 Loss
Ryan Mathews

Fresno, California--The Wyoming Cowboys, visiting the Fresno State Bulldogs, endured a hard-fought battle that ended in a narrow 92-89 defeat at the Save Mart Center.
Gamal Malone, son of NBA legend Karl Malone, proved to be the decisive force, racking up 30 points against the Cowboys, creating significant matchup problems for the Pokes throughout the game. Meanwhile, Lonny Crawford's exceptional free throw shooting, sank all ten of his attempts, including six crucial ones in the final minute, sealing the Bulldog victory.
In a losing cause, Marius Baxter led the offensive charge for Wyoming notching a 22-point night, highlighted by his sharp shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 5-of-9 attempts. Paul Rivers contributed 9 points and secured 7 rebounds, while Sean Esherick added 16 points, also shooting well from beyond the arc making 4-of-9 shots.
Robinson McFall made a significant impact off the bench, scoring 11 points during his 14 minutes on the court. Germaine Fields demonstrated strong playmaking skills, dishing out 10 assists while contributing six points with only three turnovers for the game.

[coachdubs]

January 10, 2023
Laramie Boomerang
Pokes Rebound from Loss in Fresno to Send the Falcons to Defeat 76-64.
Ryan Mathews

Laramie, Wyoming--In another Mountain West showdown, the Wyoming Cowboys defended their home court with an impressive 76-64 victory over the Air Force Falcons. The Cowboys came out firing on all cylinders, roaring out to a commanding 40-18 lead at the intermission. However, the Falcons refused to back down, mounting a valiant second-half comeback outscoring the Cowboys 46-36.
Leading the charge for the Cowboys was the talented Paul Rivers, who showcased his scoring ability by contributing a game-high 17 points. Rivers' solid showing ignited the team's offense in the first half and set the tone for the game. Not to be outdone, Marius Baxter displayed his skills by pumping in 16 points, while Sean Esherick made his presence felt by scoring 14 points. Together, the trio formed a formidable force against the Falcon's defense, making it difficult for them to contain Wyoming's offensive onslaught.
While the Cowboys' offense propelled them to victory, their efforts on the glass were equally commendable. Clifton Tahid, a dominant force under the rim, hauled in 10 boards to go with his five points.

[coachdubs]

January 10, 2023
Coach Dawson's Office

Coach Dawson was putting the finishing touches on the practice plan for the afternoon practice when his phone rang.

Marcus Dawson: This is Coach Dawson.

Dr. Dennison: Hi Coach, this is Dr. Dennison. I'm calling to update you on Branden Moody's status.

Marcus Dawson: Sounds good, how much more time will Branden miss?

Dr. Dennison: None, I'm clearing him for practice and games, it goes without saying that we'll need to work him back into the fray slowly. But Branden has made a remarkable recovery and our medical team feels confident in his readiness to return to competition.

Marcus Dawson: Seriously!? Two weeks early? Wow! I can't believe it. That's great news. Are you sure he's fit to fully participate?

Dr. Dennison: Absolutely, Coach. We've conducted thorough evaluations and medical assessments. Branden has shown exceptional progress in his rehabilitation, exceeding our expectations.

Coach Dawson: This is amazing news! I had prepared myself for a longer wait. Thank you for letting me know. Have a great rest of your day!

Dr. Dennison: Thank you, Coach, you as well.

This is the great news, we were able to handle Branden's absence without hardly missing a beat and we learned a lot about Germaine Fields and his ability to run our offense as well as the rest of the team's ability to handle adversity. Now on to preparing for our next game against a tough opponent in UNLV on the road. I can't imagine it's easy to play at the Thomas and Mack Center.

[coachdubs]

January 12, 2023
PokePride.com
Branden Moody Returns as Cowboys Clinch Thrilling Victory Against UNLV

Las Vegas, Nevada--In a stunning turn of events, the Wyoming Cowboys rallied in the waning moments of the game to secure a heart-stopping 62-59 victory over the UNLV Runnin' Rebels in a thrilling Sin City showdown. This victory not only showcases the Pokes' resilience but also marked the much-anticipated return of starting point guard Branden Moody.
The Runnin' Rebels led throughout the game--never by more than 8 points--until the last 45 seconds of regulation. Down 56-59, the Cowboys' Sean Esherick nailed a game-tying three-pointer from the right wing, assisted by the returning Moody. The momentum shifted when Esherick went to the free-throw line the next possession converting one of two shots giving Wyoming a slim 60-59 lead.
UNLV made desperate attempts to regain the lead, with multiple offensive rebounds, but Paul Rivers secured a crucial rebound and sealed the deal with two clutch free throws, putting the Pokes up 62-59 with 5.5 seconds remaining.
Coach Marcus Dawson strategically managed the game, opting for a foul to prevent a potential game-tying three. Moody, in his comeback game post-injury, scored eight points and dished out six assists in 26 minutes of action.
Coach Dawson commented on the intense finish, stating, "Our guys showed tremendous character and resilience tonight. Branden's return injected new energy, and the team showed great composure down the stretch."
The nail-biting victory highlighted the Cowboys' determination, securing a crucial win on the road. "It's very difficult to win games on the road in this conference, so whether it be by three points or thirty points we'll take it and move on to the next game. The goal would be to win half our games on the road and all our games at home, that would give us a legitimate shot and finishing in the top three of the conference at the end of the season," commented Coach Dawson.

[coachdubs]

January 14, 2023

@PokePride--Just wrapped up the first Border War clash! the Wyoming Cowboys triumph 70-64 over Colorado State in Laradice! #BeatTheSheep #ItSucksToBeACSURam #GoPokes



@CowboyCountry--@PokePride, we'll gladly take that win any day! #GoPokes #BorderWarVictory #BeatTheSheep

[coachdubs]

January 14, 2023
ESPN+
Cowboys Edge Out Rival Rams in Thrilling Showdown

Laramie, Wyoming-- In a heated Border War Battle, the Wyoming Cowboys emerged victorious against the Colorado State Rams with a hard-fought score of 70-64. The Arena-Auditorium in Laradice witnessed an intense battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

Key Performances:
Clifton Tahid stood tall as the leading scorer for the Cowboys with a game-high 18 points. Marius Baxter contributed a double-double, tallying 10 points and 10 rebounds. Paul Rivers worked hard on both ends of the court, adding 12 points and blocking 5 shots. Off the bench, Robinson McFall chipped in 10 crucial points to help Wyoming earn the win.

Game Recap:
Throughout the highly contested affair, both teams exchanged leads. Tied at 58 with just over three minutes left in the game, Wyoming surged ahead with a decisive 12-6 run, utilizing strong defense and clutch scoring to seal the win.

Post-Game Insights:
The victory cements the Cowboys in the top half of the conference with a 4-1 mark in conference and a 15-2 mark overall. Coach Dawson expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, emphasizing their ability to execute crucial plays down the stretch.

Looking Ahead:
The Cowboys will travel to Logan, Utah on Monday night for a Big Monday Matchup on ESPN with first place in the Mountain West Conference on the line. The game will tip off at 9:00 Mountain Time and will be called by Jimmy Dykes and Karl Ravech on the call.

[coachdubs]

January 17, 2023
Laramie Boomerang
Aggies Tame Cowboys in 80-67 Victory
Ryan Mathews

Logan, Utah--In a showdown of two 4-1 teams for first place in the MWC at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, the Wyoming Cowboys faced perhaps their toughest test this season against the #23 Utah State Aggies. Despite playing hard, they fell short losing 80-67.

Utah State's Bill Denson led the charge for the Aggies, delivering an impressive 24-point performance. Meanwhile, Wyoming's Paul Rivers played equally well in a losing effort, registering 16 points and 14 rebounds and only missing one shot the entire night.

The game unfolded as a strategic battle, with Utah State utilizing a tough defensive strategy to limit Wyoming's offense and stifle their rhythm. Wyoming experienced only their third loss of the season and their second in conference play, Coach Dawson commended Rivers' stellar performance while acknowledging the team's need to regroup and learn some valuable lessons from this game.
Wyoming plays host to 12-4 New Mexico tomorrow before traveling to San Diego to take on the #12 ranked team in the nation.

[coachdubs]

January 19, 2023
PokePride.com
Cowboys Back to Winning Ways After Tough Loss at Utah State, Triumph Over New Mexico 77-61

In another key Mountain West matchup at the Arena-Auditorium, the Wyoming Cowboys overpowered New Mexico in the second half en route to a 77-61 victory. Wyoming's offensive resurgence was spearheaded by Sean Esherick, who led Wyoming with an impressive 20 points, complemented by Marius Baxter's 19-point performance. Paul Rivers made his presence felt, tallying 13 points, snatching seven rebounds, and collecting three blocked shots.

Esherick and Baxter's combined sharp-shooting from beyond the arc, connecting on 9 of 17 three-point attempts significantly bolstered Wyoming's firepower. Germaine Fields stepped up, as he has so often this season, providing substantial minutes in the absence of the foul-troubled Branden Moody, and distributed a team-high six assists.

The electric atmosphere within the Arena-Auditorium packed to capacity for the first time in five seasons, reverberated with cheers and support enhancing the Cowboys' performance and earning the venue its renowned moniker, the "Dome of Doom."
Wyoming will travel to San Diego to take on the #12 ranked Aztec on Monday night with a 9 pm Mountain tip time.

[coachdubs]

January 26, 2023
Laramie Boomerang
Cowboys Stun #12 San Diego State with Commanding Win, 82-73
Ryan Mathews

San Diego, California--In a road display of dominance unlike the Cowboys have shown against a Top-20 team in recent history, the Cowboys orchestrated a stunning upset of the #12 ranked San Diego State Aztecs, claiming an impressive 82-73 victory. The Cowboys were led by a stellar performance from Clifton Tahid's 24 points and nine rebounds. Marius Baxter contributed 13 points and nine rebounds to the victorious team. Branden Moody, tallied 11 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, playing a crucial role in the Cowboys' upset.
From the onset, Wyoming dictated the pace establishing an early lead and maintaining authority throughout the game. Their dominance was evident as they surged to a 59-40 lead with 13:44 left in the game. Despite a resilient effort from the Aztecs, spearheaded by the superstar Mike Judd, who notched 22 points, the Cowboys maintained their composure and secured the win.
When asked about his team's performance Marcus Dawson was left nearly speechless, "Incredible. We talked about coming in here and performing at a high level, but I didn't anticipate this, I just don't know that I have the words right now, San Diego State is clearly the cream of our conference and we just beat them in their house, that doesn't happen."
Well, Coach, it did just happen and you're having one heck of a rookie year in Laramie.