The Marcus Dawson Story

[coachdubs]

February 2, 2024
Cowboys Get Home-Cooking As They Roll Over Boise State 69-46

Laramie, Wyoming--In a show of dominance, the Wyoming Cowboys orchestrated an impressive victory over the Boise State Broncos by a final score of 69-46 at the Arena-Auditorium on the campus of the University of Wyoming. From the opening minutes, the Cowboys set the tone for a game they would lead from start to finish.
James Mill, the standout freshman forward, led all scorers with 18 points. Shooting 8-11 from the field and draining both three-point attempts he took. Perry Bryant continued his strong freshman campaign, contributing 14 points. Marcus Morris delivered a solid performance off the bench with 12 points and seven rebounds.
The Cowboys' offensive efficiency was on full display, shooting a sizzling 52% from the field and hitting 43% of their three-point shots. Equally impressive was Wyoming's stifling defense limiting Boise State to 28% from the field and 16% from behind the arc. When Boise State was missing all those shots, Wyoming was getting the rebounds, outrebounding the Broncos 38-29.
Despite the win, Coach Dawson wasn't particularly pleased with his team's performance, "Overall I'd give us a solid B, offensively, defensively, and rebounding I'd give us an A. But, we need to take care of the ball much better. 16 turnovers are way too many, if our defense isn't as good as it was tonight, we easily could've lost this game. We'll continue to work on that, some of it is decision-making, but others we're just trying to move faster than what we need to."

[coachdubs]

February 7, 2024
Cowboys Earn Tough Road Win Against Air Force

Colorado Springs, Colorado--The Wyoming Cowboys got off to a good start on the road and held on for a hard-earned victory over the Air Force Academy Falcons 67-65.
The score was close early and late in the game with Wyoming building as much as a 12-point lead early in the second half.
Wyoming was led in scoring by James Mills with 16 points on 7-10 shooting with 6 rebounds. Rod Tarver added 14 points with 5 rebounds. Marcus Morris added 12 points off the bench on 4-6 shooting. Perry Bryant ripped down eight rebounds and scored four points. Brendan Moody added nine points and six assists.

[coachdubs]

February 11, 2024
Cowboys Take Care of Business at Home with 82-72 Victory Over Fresno State

Laramie, Wyoming--The Wyoming Cowboys proved why they're one of the best teams in the Mountain West Conference by taking care of business at home against the Fresno State Bulldogs at the Arena-Auditorium. Despite trailing at the intermission, the Cowboys turned things around in the second half to clinch an impressive win against a formidable Fresno State team.

Lovell Zinn, delivered an outstanding performance for the Bulldogs and posed a significant challenge for the Cowboys with his 17-point six-rebound performance, freshman Tim Jones added 14 points and five assists, contributing to Fresno State's offensive attack.

Wyoming's victory was marked by exceptional scoring balance, with six players scoring in double-figures. Wyoming's freshmen trio, James Mills, Perry Bryant, and Rod Tarver led the offensive attack with 18, 15, and 10 points respectively. Clifton Tahid and Brendan Moody provided crucial support, each adding 11 points to Wyoming's offense. Meanwhile, Marcus Morris, made his presence felt off the bench, with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Coach Dawson was impressed with his team's performance, acknowledging the determination and skill his players displayed throughout the game. He praised their ability to maintain composure, make crucial plays, and work collectively to secure the win against a tough Fresno State squad.

"Our guys showed tremendous character and composure tonight. Fresno State is a quality team, and it took a complete and collective effort to overcome their challenge. I'm proud of the way our players executed our gameplan, especially in the second half of the game with the adjustments we made."

[coachdubs]

February 16, 2024
Transcript from the Wyoming Sports Insider Radio Show

Jake Thompson: Hey folks! Welcome back to the Wyoming Sports Insider. I'm Jake Thompson, here with my co-host, Ethan Reynolds. Tough loss for the Cowboys last night against Nevada, huh?

Ethan Reynolds: Absolutely, Jake. It was a close game for the most part, but once again the Cowboys can't quite pull off a road win against a quality team. The Cowboys went into the game strong, but Nevada managed to pull ahead, especially behind Brian Ivory's performance. He was on fire in the second half.

Jake: No kidding. He dropped 19 points in the game, but 16 of them were in the second half. The Wolfpack sure capitalized on their free throws, too.

Ethan: That was a key difference in the game. They shot nearly twice as many free throws as the Cowboys. You don't want to blame the refs for a loss like this but they whistled the good guys for 21 fouls and the bad guys for only 13 fouls in the game.

Jake: You can't blame the refs for that, a lot of those fouls were legit, and Wyoming did foul a few times down the stretch to try and extend the game. Maybe more importantly the shooting percentage from the field for the Pokes was brutal. 37% from the field and 20% from deep.

Ethan: You're not going to win many games shooting that poorly. Clifton Tahid had a nice game scoring 18 points, but it wasn't enough.

Jake: James Mills did his part too, grabbing eight rebounds and scoring 12 points. He's been a great addition by Coach Dawson. As a true freshman, he's been solid this season. I can't wait to see what he becomes in the next few years as he develops. But, you're right Ethan, the team as a whole just couldn't get their shot to fall.

Ethan: Tough one for Wyoming, but they've shown that they can rebound after a loss. Let's see how they bounce back from this loss.

Jake: Absolutely, Ethan. Looking forward to their next game as they play host to the New Mexico Lobos tomorrow night.

Ethan: That will be a great matchup, they owe the Lobos one for the 75-59 loss back in January.

[coachdubs]

February 18, 2024
Laramie Boomerang
Cowboys Earn 20th Win of Season With 83-64 Beatdown of New Mexico
Ryan Mathews

Laramie, Wyoming-- In an impressive showing at the Arena-Auditorium, a.k.a The Dome of Doom for opponents, the Wyoming Cowboys earned their 20th win of the season with an 83-64 victory over the New Mexico Lobos.

The game started on a high note for the Lobos jumping out to a 9-5 lead early on. However, Wyoming quickly erased the Lobo lead and never looked back. New Mexico got the lead to 22-20 with just under eight minutes left in the first half, but that was as close as they would get. Wyoming continued to build their lead to half-time at 42-30.

The second half saw the Cowboys build on their advantage, extending their lead to as many as twenty late in the half. They controlled the game from both ends of the court, leaving the Lobos struggling to catch up.

The freshman trio of James Mills, Rod Tarver, and Perry Bryant led the charge for the Pokes. Tarver was on fire, dropping an impressive 29 points, showcasing his accuracy with a stellar 7 out of 11 from beyond the arc. Bryant added 20 points along with seven rebounds, while Mills and Marcus Morris contributed 10 points each.

Brendon Moody might not have added to the scoring column, but his impact was felt all over the court. He grabbed six rebounds and orchestrated the offense with eight assists, playing a pivotal role in the Pokes' success.

David Griffin did his best for the Lobos, scoring 17 points, but it wasn't nearly enough to hang with the Cowboys.

[coachdubs]

February 20, 2024

@PokePride--Cowboys come from ahead to lose the second installment of the Border War 69-67. #choked #CowoboyBasketball #RoadWoesContinue

@CowboyCountry--Cowboys falter down the stretch and lose in Fort Fudd to the Ewes. #AnotherRoadLoss #CowboyBasketball

@WyomingHoops--Close but no cigar. Pokes fall on the road again, this time to CSU. #BorderBattle #WyomingBasketball

[coachdubs]

February 23, 2024
Laramie Boomerang
Cowboys Win Nail Bitter Over Utah State 69-67
Ryan Mathews

Laramie, Wyoming--In a nail-biting showdown at the Arena-Auditorium, the Wyoming Cowboys secured a hard-fought victory against the Utah State Aggies, clinching a 69-67 win in a game of constant lead changes and tight scores. Neither team led by more than seven points and there were 13 ties and 17 lead changes throughout the game.
It was a game where Wyoming's scoring was spread out, showcasing their balanced offense and depth. James Mills led the Cowboys, tallying 14 points. But what was truly remarkable was the collective effort from the team, as seven players chipped in with at least six points each, and every player to see action scored.
Brendan Moody orchestrated the offense brilliantly, dishing out 10 assists, setting the pace, and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Marcus Morris led the Pokes in rebounding, securing seven rebounds.
As the clock winded down, the score was deadlocked at 67 a piece with a mere 5.8 seconds left on the game clock. Sophomore Dexter Gray had been fouled and went to the free-throw line for a pair of pressure free throws. "It's something we work on in practice daily," Coach Dawson said of free throw shooting in pressure situations. Gray showed he had ice in his veins knocking down both shots to give the Pokes a 69-67 lead. In a last-second effort, Utah State's senior standout, Bill Denson, attempted a game-winning three-pointer, but the shot ended up hitting off the back iron long at the horn, securing the victory for the Cowboys.
Coach Dawson reflecting on the intense contest remarked, "Tonight was a testament to the work we put in at practice daily. From the pressure free throws to end-of-game situations. Every player stepped up when it counted, and how about Dexter's composure at the free-throw line? That was clutch!"

[coachdubs]

February 28, 2024
PokePride.com
Cowboys Get Coveted Road Win Over San Diego State 74-70

San Diego, California-- In a season-defining matchup against San Diego State, the Wyoming Cowboys secured a significant road win, edging out the Aztecs 74-70 in a fiercely contested game. For Wyoming, it was a pivotal victory, particularly given their historical struggles on the road against quality conference opponents.
Throughout the game, San Diego State held the lead. The Cowboys faced an uphill battle for the majority of the matchup, but their perseverance ultimately paid off. "We talk a lot in staff meetings about how we can put ourselves in the best position to win road games. This game went exactly to plan. Play tough keep it close and give ourselves an opportunity in the end," stated Coach Dawson. It wasn't until the final five minutes of the game that the Cowboys managed to take the lead at 63-62.
Coach Dawson has had the Aztec's number now marking a perfect 5-0 record in his tenure at Wyoming. This win wasn't just significant for breaking the road woes; it reinforced Wyoming's ability to challenge and overcome tough opponents.
A key to Wyoming's victory was their dominance in the paint, outscoring San Diego State 40-26.
The Cowboys showcased, what is becoming a hallmark of this team, a balanced scoring effort, with contributions coming from across the roster. Eight players made significant scoring contributions, displaying the depth and versatility of the team. Rod Tarver led the scoring charge with 13 points, supported by Clifton Tahid's 12 and Perry Bryant's 11. Joe Riggs had an exceptional all-around performance, scoring 10 points along with five assists, seven rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.
Coach Dawson expressed his thoughts after the challenging win, stating, "This win was a testament to our team's grit and ability to stay composed in crunch time. I think we're finally learning how to win on the road. Our guys showed tremendous character, seizing control when it mattered most."
With their sights set on the horizon, the Cowboys look to carry this momentum into their final regular-season game against UNLV, aiming to cap off the season with another strong performance.

[coachdubs]

March 1, 2024
Post-Game Recap From the Mountain West Network

Laramie, Wyoming--

Steve Gosar: Welcome back to Laramie where the Cowboys defeated the Running Rebels tonight 82-65. What did you think of the game Marty?

Marty Davis: That's right, Steve. It was a dominant performance by the Cowboys tonight. The Pokes really showed their depth again with five players hitting double-figures in scoring. That's what this Cowboy offense has turned into, spread the ball around and let your players hit shots. It's tough to defend and when the Cowboys are on it can be impossible to get consistent stops.

Steve Gosar: Clifton Tahid had himself a game, leading the charge for the Cowboys with an 18-point performance. His presence in the paint was undeniable grabbing eight rebounds.

Marty Davis: Absolutely, Steve. Tahid's aggressive play down low set the tone in the game and the Cowboys owned the paint outscoring UNLV 32-24. Let's not forget about the freshman Rod Tarver, who scored 14 points, adding firepower to the Cowboys' offense.

Steve Gosar: Yes, Tarver has done an admirable job of filling in for Germain Fields who ruptured his Achilles tendon earlier this season. Tarver has been instrumental in the Cowboy offense since coming in. The depth of the Cowboys showed, with Marcus Morris stepping up off the bench to grab a game-high 11 boards while contributing 10 points of his own.

Marty Davis: James Mills has been quiet in recent games, but he bounced back with a solid 12-point performance tonight.

Steve Gosar: Brendan Moody continued to run this offense to near perfection, dishing out eight assists while scoring five points. He's transitioned nicely to the point guard position from his shooting guard position from earlier in the season.

Marty Davis: The Cowboys controlled the game, outscoring the Running Rebels in both halves. Their dominance in the paint was evident outpacing UNLV 43-32 in the first half and maintaining their momentum in the second half with a 39-34 finish.

Steve Gosar: With this win, the Cowboys end their regular season on a high note, setting themselves up for a strong showing in the post-season. The Pokes finish up the season with a 23-8 record and 12-6 in conference sharing first place with Utah State. We'll see which team gets the one seed in the conference tournament coming up next weekend in Las Vegas. That will wrap things up from Laramie, have a good night.

[coachdubs]

March 5, 2024
Dawson Home

Marcus: Well, Babe, that's a wrap on the regular season. 23-8, not too shabby.

Sarah: Definitely, Marcus! It's been quite a journey, hasn't it? The team has really come together under your leadership, especially considering the tough road games and the injury to Germain.

Marcus: Yeah, the road's been a challenge, but we managed to pull through it when it mattered. But now, it's all about the conference tournament and getting another bid to the Big Dance.

Sarah: Right, the team earned that two-seed and a first-round bye. They've shown some incredible resilience throughout the season. How do you feel about the team heading into the tournament?

Marcus: I'm proud of how they've performed, but we need to maintain that focus. These games are a whole new level of intensity. We'll need every bit of that grit and determination. Especially if Colorado State is the team we face in the second round of the tournament, they're a tough team.

Sarah: Absolutely, Marcus. It's great to see how they've grown over the season. They're playing with confidence now.

Marcus: They are. But you know, it's the postseason--anything can happen. We've got to keep them sharp and ready for every challenge.

Sarah: That's true. The boys have got the talent. I know you'll get them mentally prepared.

Marcus: I'm counting on their resilience. It's been an incredible regular season, and I have a good feeling about what's to come.

Sarah: You've instilled a great mindset in them, Marcus. Let's hope that carries them through tournament season.

Marcus: I'm hoping and praying for that. But you know what, win or lose, I'm proud of this team. And I couldn't dow it without your support.

Sarah: We're a team too, Marcus. Let's see what the tournament brings.