David Murray scored 18 of his game-high 27 points in the second half, then made a key assist in overtime to lift Wyoming past Utah State, 73-69, in the championship game of the Cowboy Shootout on Wednesday.
Murray's pass to HL Coleman with 10 seconds to go in the extra period sealed the victory, Wyoming's seventh in the 11-year history of the tournament.Utah State was physical early, but the Cowboys flexed their muscles in the second half to secure their seventh title in the 11-year history of the Cowboy Shootout.
Murray, who was held to just 11 points Tuesday, led Wyoming (7-2) back from a 10-point deficit in the second half.
The Aggies (4-4), led by Nathan Wickizer's 20 points, led 51-44 with 8:22 left in the game before Murray took over.
Wright said when his players found their momentum, they were sure to win.
"I thought Utah State pushed us around," he said. "They had 12 more rebounds than us in the first half. Those kids came back, sucked it up, got the big boards and enabled us to win this game."
Wyoming tied the score at 53-53 on Murray's jumper with 6:18 left in regulation play.
Eric Franson gave the Aggies another lead with 2:10 left on the clock, but they couldn't hold it.
Murray sent the game into overtime when he hit a 10-footer with nine seconds remaining.
Wickizer, the tournament MVP, fouled out with 5:25 remaining.
Theo Ratliff and Queint Higgins added 14 and 13 points respectively for the Cowboys.
Wyoming took an early 11-1 lead, but Utah State refused to fold. Wickizer scored on a 3-point play and followed with two buckets as Utah State pulled to 21-18 at the 6:43 mark of the first half.
Utah State led 30-28 at the intermission.