The Marcus Dawson Story

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December 29, 2023
Cowboys End Non-Conference Schedule On a High Note; Defeat SE Missouri State 84-62

Laramie, Wyoming--The Wyoming Cowboys wrapped up their non-conference schedule with an emphatic 84-62 victory over SE Missouri State. From the opening tip to the final horn, the Cowboys dictated the pace, asserting their dominance on both ends of the floor.
The Pokes were firing on all cylinders, displaying a well-rounded offensive performance led by Perry Bryant, who orchestrated the scoring barrage with 18 points. Brendan Moody and Germain Fields were hot on his heels, notching 14 points each while Marcus Morris contributed a solid 11 points and seven rebounds coming off the bench.
The Cowboy defense proved impenetrable, thwarting the Redhawks' attempts to rally. James Mills, a force on both ends of the floor, showed his versatility with a multi-dimensional display, scoring five points, grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out four assists, and garnering four steals--a performance that underscored his impact on the game.
On the opposite side, Joe Dennis of SE Missouri State displayed a stellar individual performance with 23 points, but the collective effort of the Redhawks fell short against the Wyoming defense.
The victory concluded Wyoming's non-conference campaign with an 11-2 mark, their only losses coming to UConn and Xavier, two top-10 ranked teams. Included in their victories were an upset win over #5 Kentucky and wins over Georgia Tech and Illinois. Coach Dawson commented on their schedule, "We played a tough non-conference schedule that should prepare us to be highly competitive in the Mountain West Conference play." The Cowboys open conference play on January 2, on the road against a tough Boise State Broncos team.

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January 3, 2024
Cowboys Secure Commanding Win Over Boise State in MWC Opener
Wyoming Sports Magazine

Boise, Idaho--In a key early season Mountain West Conference game, the Wyoming Cowboys seized an 81-69 victory over Boise State to launch their campaign in the Mountain West Conference on a high note.
After a closely contested first half that saw Boise State hold a 40-35 edge at the break, the Cowboys rallied in the second half to mount a comeback—led by a stellar performance from Clifton Tahid, who lit up the court with a 28-point display and six rebounds.
Tahid was a force to be reckoned with, particularly in the second half, where he scored 20 points, including a barrage of five three-pointers, which proved pivotal in Wyoming's surge to victory. His performance in the second half significantly shifted the game's momentum firmly in the Cowboys' favor.
Joining in the scoring spree, Perry Bryant contributed 15 points with seven rebounds, while the bench impact from Marcus Morris who tallied nine points and eight rebounds, and Rod Tarver who added 11 points further bolstered Wyoming's performance.

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January 5, 2024
Casper Star Tribune
Cowboys Get Defensive in Costly Win Over Air Force

Laramie, Wyoming--In a display of team unity and resilience, the Wyoming Cowboys secured a convincing 70-46 victory over Air Force in their conference home opener. However, the win came at a significant cost as the Cowboys lost their starting point guard, Germain Fields, to what is feared to be a ruptured Achilles tendon midway through the first half.
The game started on a promising note with the Pokes dominating from the opening tip. The first half saw the Cowboys building a substantial lead, heading into halftime with a commanding 34-15 advantage over the Falcons.
The defining moment of the game, however, occurred with 7:23 left in the first half and the Cowboys up 20-8, with the unfortunate injury to Fields. The point guard, known for his on-court leadership and playmaking abilities, suffered a lower leg injury that will no doubt impact the team moving forward.
Head Coach Marcus Dawson expressed the team's sentiment on the Fields injury, stating, "Losing Germain is a tough blow for us. We'll have to wait for an MRI tomorrow or the day after to know the extent, but it doesn't look good. His experience and leadership on the court are invaluable, and we'll miss his presence. Our thoughts are with him for a speedy and full recovery."
In Fields' absence, freshman Rod Tarver stepped up admirably, giving a glimpse of his potential with a fine performance. Tarver led the Cowboys with 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists, demonstrating both composure and skill in the face of adversity.
Brendan Moody, Perry Bryant, and James Mills also contributed significantly to the team's success, with Moody notching 10 points and six assists, Bryant adding 10 points and five rebounds, and Mills pitching in nine points and seven rebounds.
Despite the somber tone due to Field's injury, the Cowboys rallied together, emphasizing their collective strength. Coach Dawson commended the teams response, saying, "It's a testament to the character of our players. Losing Germain is tough, but we've got a great group that's ready to step up and face the challenges ahead."

[coachdubs]

January 10, 2024
CowboyInsider.com
Cowboys Bow to Bulldogs on the Road 84-76

Fresno, California-- In the first game without point guard Germain Fields, Coach Dawson's Cowboys couldn't match Fresno State on the scoreboard, yet they gave a valiant effort. James Mills led all scorers with 22 points and Rod Tarver who moved to shooting guard while Brendan Moody moved back to his normal point guard position scored 10 points, before fouling out of the game, and Marcus Morris added 12 off the bench.
The Cowboys seemed to handle the game quite well in the early going jumping out to an early 28-19 lead with 7:32 left in the half. The last seven minutes of the half and the rest of the game were all Fresno State; the Bulldogs outscored Wyoming 22-10 to end the half and never looked back.
"I thought we got off to the start we needed to be successful in the game," Coach Dawson said. "But Brendan and then Rod both got into foul trouble and had to sit for significant minutes of the game, and that hurt us."
The Cowboys couldn't cut the lead to anything closer than six in the second half despite a strong effort. The Bulldogs made 7-9 free throws in the final sixty seconds to seal the win.

[coachdubs]

January 11, 2024
Cowboys Cruise Past Aztecs 78-56 Inside the Dome of Doom
CowboysInsider.com

Laramie, Wyoming-- San Diego States' early 4-0 lead to start the game evaporated in a hurry as the Cowboys set a steady pace outscoring the Aztecs 41-26 in the first half. Back-to-back buckets by Adam Weber and Camara Popp got the game going. But the Cowboys answered with 10 straight points to go up 10-4 and never looked back. The Cowboys held the Aztecs to 30% shooting from the field while shooting nearly 50% from the field.
Clifton Tahid led all scorers and a quartet of Cowboys in double-figures with 21 points and was one of two Cowboys to post double-doubles with 12 rebounds, Perry Bryant was the other Cowboy with a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. James Mills pitched in 16 and Brendan Moody added 10 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists.
"We played exceptionally well on the defensive side of the ball, we were able to hold them to one shot more often than not and then get the ball back to the offensive side. It's pretty rare to have two guys get into double digits on the glass," commented Coach Dawson. The Cowboys outrebounded the Aztecs 43-34 in the game.
The Cowboys seem to have figured out how to play without Fields. After the loss to Fresno State on the road things didn't look so good. We'll see what happens when the Cowboys head back to the road for a game in the Pitt in Albuquerque on the 16th. The Pitt is always one of the toughest places to play in the conference.

[coachdubs]

January 17, 2024
Cowboys Suffer Narrow Defeat Against the Lobos in Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico--In a closely contested battle, the Wyoming Cowboys faced a tough challenge on the road against the New Mexico Lobos, ultimately falling short with a final score of 79-75. The Lobos established an early lead, holding a nine-point advantage at the half 39-30.
The Cowboys battled back and took a slim 55-54 lead with 10:03 left in the game, but David Griffin proved too much for the Cowboys to handle, leading all scorers with 19 points. Despite the Cowboys' attempted comeback, the Lobos managed to maintain their edge and secure a tough Mountain West Conference victory.
James Mills, the standout freshman for Wyoming, contributed 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the losing effort. Fellow freshman Perry Brant showed his scoring ability with 12 points, but fouled out with 4:21 left to play, impacting Coach Marcus Dawson's late-game strategy.
Clifton Tahid and Rod Tarver also made notable contributions to the Cowboys in the loss, adding 12 and 11 points respectively. However, the Lobo's home-court advantage proved to be decisive in helping the Lobos secure the win.
Head Coach Marcus Dawson acknowledged the team's effort, saying, "It was a hard-fought game, and I'm proud of the way our guys battled until the end. New Mexico played well on their home court. We'll learn from this experience as we move forward in the season."

[coachdubs]

January 19, 2024
Wyoming Secures Convincing Victory Over Colorado State In Border War Showdown

Laramie, Wyoming--In a highly anticipated Border War Battle at the Arena-Auditorium, the Wyoming Cowboys showed why they are one of the top teams in the conference, securing a commanding 84-67 victory against the Colorado State Rams. The Rams got off to a hot start surging to an 11-6 lead early in the game, but the Cowboys answered and turned the tide with a 12-0 run.
Clifton Tahid and James Mills spearheaded the turning point, fueling Wyoming's surge with six points each during the decisive run. The momentum swing set the tone for the rest of the game, propelling the Cowboys to a 42-35 lead at the break, a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
The Cowboys intensified their efforts in the second half, outplaying the Rams to secure the win. Tahid was a force the entire game finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals in a fine all-around performance. Mills displayed a nice shooting touch going 6-8 from the field and 4-4 from the free-throw line en route to 16 points and eight rebounds. Marcus Morris made a significant impact off the bench, leading the team's scoring with 18 points, showing the Cowboys' depth. Brendan Moody contributed 11 points along with seven rebounds and seven assists. Perry Bryant also made a notable contribution, adding 14 points and six boards to the Cowboys' winning effort.
Despite Colorado State's efforts, led by Mike Hillier's 18 points, the Rams couldn't overcome the Cowboys' determined and cohesive play.
Head Coach Marcus Dawson commended his team's collective effort, stating, "I'm proud of our guys' effort and determination. They executed our game plan effectively and played with great energy throughout. It was a terrific team win."

[coachdubs]

January 20, 2024
Late evening after the Cowboys lose another road conference game to Utah State the team cleans up and gets packed ready to head back home.

Phone rings, Marcus answers

Marcus: Hey, Sarah.

Sarah: So, how did the game go tonight? I didn't get a chance to watch it with the kids activities. They're already in bed, so I have some time to talk.

Marcus: (sighs) Not great. We lost 92-75. It's frustrating; we just can't seem to pull off wins on the road within the conference.

Sarah: I'm sorry to hear that. What happened?

Marcus: James played well, and dropped 19 points, but was non-existent on the glass tonight. Clifton got into foul trouble early and had to sit for half the game and eventually fouled out with only 5 points, but he was active on the glass with nine rebounds. Perry continues to play beyond his years; he scored 19 with six rebounds and Rod is playing as well as can be expected filling in for Germain.

Sarah: It sounds like a tough night. What went wrong?

Marcus: (frustrated) They had a three-headed monster Rogers, McNeil, and Denson. They really killed us tonight. They combined for 56 points. We just couldn't contain them. We turned the ball over 17 times and gave up 15 second chance points. They also shot extremely well from the free-throw line going 26-29. I guess add that all up and you get a 17-point loss.

Sarah: I know it's frustrating, Marcus, but you'll figure it out. You always do.

Marcus: Thanks, Babe. It's just tough, you know? We need to find a way to win some of these road games if we want to win the conference. I know we aren't going to win them all, but half of them would be great.

Sarah: You'll get it, Marcus. Keep pushing, and things will turn around.

Marcus: I know. We'll regroup and come back stronger. Thanks for listening.

Sarah: That's what I'm here for. I'll see you when you get home. I'll call the sitter and we can find a time to go out for dinner.

Marcus: (smiles). That sounds perfect. I love you, see you in a few hours.

Sarah: I love you too, have a safe trip home.

[coachdubs]

January 23, 2023
Post-Game Press Conference
Wyoming 75 Nevada 70

Marcus Dawson: Thank you all for being here tonight. That was a tough hard-fought game. Nevada really made us work for it. But I wouldn't expect anything from a Coach Alford team. Questions?

Ryan Mathews Laramie Boomerang: Coach, how do you feel about the team's performance, especially in the second half after Nevada came back and took the lead 50-48?

Coach Dawson: I'm proud of the way the team responded, especially after Nevada took the lead. They're a quality team, Coach Alford made some key adjustments, and they came back strong. We showed resilience as we tend to do and managed to regain control when we needed it most.

Scott Baker Casper Star-Tribune: Clifton Tahid had a standout game tonight, can you comment on his performance?

Coach Dawson: Clifton was solid as usual tonight. He's been a pillar for us all season, and tonight he really stepped up when it counted. His energy on both ends of the floor, especially his work on the boards, was critical for us tonight.

Stacy Stein Cowboy Insider: What was the strategy in those crucial final minutes of the game?

Coach Dawson: As always, it's about staying composed and executing our plays. When the game gets tight, it's about making smart decisions, hitting free throws, and relying on our defense to make stops. Marcus Morris was clutch at the line tonight, and that made a difference. Thankfully, his picking up his fifth foul with under two minutes left in the game didn't hurt us.

Max Darnell PokesPride.com: Coach, could you discuss James Mills and Rod Tarver's contributions tonight?

Coach Dawson: Mills and Tarver both had impact performances. They contributed on multiple fronts, scoring and helping to control the boards. Mills' versatility and Tarver's ability to step up in critical moments were vital for us tonight.

Tom Young MWC Sports Network: The team had some struggles on the defensive glass and gave up nine second-chance points. How do you plan to address this moving forward?

Coach Dawson: This has been a trend for us lately and it's an area that we need to address in practice, no doubt about it. Not to make excuses, but we are a young team and our freshmen bigs need to start getting more physical on boxouts and securing rebounds. We'll certainly focus on those things and become better in that phase of the game. Thanks again for being here to watch us. We're pleased with the win, but we certainly have some weaknesses we need to address moving forward.

[coachdubs]

January 26, 2024
In Coach Dawson's Office
Post-game meeting of the coaching staff to discuss the road struggles, after another road defeat to San Jose State 67-84. The Cowboys led by one at the half and built an eight-point lead early in the second half before being outscored 42-17 the rest of the game and losing. Clifton Tahid was the only Cowboy to show any spark scoring 15 points and grabbing six rebounds.

Marcus Dawson: Alright, guys, let's sit down. It was a tough loss again last night, but we've got to find the issue and address what's going on with our road woes. We can't seem to close out these road games, and it's hurting us. Any thoughts on why we're struggling? Then, what can we do to fix that?

Ken DeWeese: It's definitely a pattern, Coach. We start strong and even get ahead, but it's like we hit a wall, especially in the second half. The energy drops and our execution falters.

Sundance Wicks: It's also the consistency. We're not maintaining that same level of intensity and focus throughout the game. It's a mental hurdle we need to overcome.

Mark Rodgers: I think part of it's the atmosphere, Coach. Road games bring different pressures and distractions. We've got to help the guys stay composed and focused when they're away from home.

Marcus Dawson: These are all valid points. I'm wondering if it isn't our youth as well. We have three freshmen starting with Rod, James, and Bryant and then our sixth man is a sophomore with Marcus. Maybe we just need to work through things with these young men to get them where we need them to be. Regardless, we need to work on maintaining a high level of play, no matter where we are. The mental toughness to weather those runs and finish strong is critical.

Ken DeWeese: Maybe some more situational work in practice, Coach? Simulate tough environments, work on closing out games under pressure?

Marcus Dawson: Great idea, Ken. Let's amp up our practice scenarios, and introduce more pressure situations to simulate those critical moments in road games.

Sundance Wicks: How about team bonding on the road, Coach? More team activities, building unity and camaraderie during travel? We have several new players who still need to connect and build a strong bond.

Marcus Dawson: Absolutely, Sundance. Strengthening that team cohesion certainly can't hurt and can make a difference. More team-building activities and discussion, ensuring everyone's on the same page.

Mark Rogers: Maybe emphasizing consistency and focus, too, Coach. Drill it into them that every possession counts regardless of where we're playing.

Marcus Dawson: Attention to detail and consistency in execution, are crucial. I like it. Let's put these ideas into action in our practice over the next several weeks and see if we don't see a different team on the road in the near future. Thanks, fellas, I'll see you in practice later this afternoon.