(Autumn McPherson Photo)
It’s been a game of inches for the Cowgirls in Mountain West Conference play so far this season–particularly on the road. That sentiment remained true as the Cowgirls dropped their fourth straight contest in a row to the Nevada Wolfpack, dropping their record to 1-4 in conference play and 4-9 overall.
Though their record and placement amongst the league standings through five games may look grim, the Cowgirls have been very competitive in the Mountain West. The Cowgirls, though, have let inches worth of mistakes snowball into miles in many of their losses.
The Cowgirls were within a single possession heading into the final frame of play on the road against both New Mexico and Fresno State before a pair of devastatingly deficient fourth quarters doomed the Cowgirls to double-digit losses.
The Cowgirls were even within a one basket of the league-leading San Diego State Aztecs at halftime in Laramie before the Aztecs stomped the Cowgirls in the third quarter to eventually run away with a 72-55 win.
It was unfortunately much of the same tune for the Cowgirls in their fourth loss of conference play, as the Cowgirls would battle hard once again but lose in excruciating fashion as the Wolfpack would hang on in overtime as they’d completely overwhelm the Cowgirls in the extra period to win by a final score of 70-60.
However, it seemed as if this game was trending towards one of little drama in the opening minutes, as the Wolfpack had initially sprung out to a 20-5 advantage within just a few minutes. The Cowgirls allowed the Wolfpack to shoot an incredible 64.3% from the field while also being perfect from distance in the opening quarter of play.
The Cowgirls’ resiliency was on full display in the following quarter, however, as they would buckle down defensively and hold the Wolfpack to just 21.4% with no three-point makes in the second quarter. That would allow the Cowgirls to draw within just three points by halftime.
From there, it was game on.
The two teams would battle back-and-forth in the second half, with neither team finding much distance from one another. After a pair of late miscues by both squads, the Cowgirls would have an opportunity to take a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter. The Cowgirls’ leading scorer, Malene Pedersen, would unfortunately miss the shot that would give the Cowgirls the lead.
However, the Wolfpack would leave the door for a comeback cracked open as they would miss one of their two free throws to make it a three-point lead. Pedersen would avenge her earlier miss for the lead by coolly notching overtime at the charity stripe.
That overtime period wouldn’t fair well for the Cowgirls, though.
A single point was all the Cowgirls could muster in the five minutes of overtime, as the Wolfpack would dominate the extra period for the 10-point victory.
Once again, the Cowgirls would walk away double-digit losers in yet another final score that deceptively seems much worse than it was.
The Cowgirls enjoyed nice depth in the scoring department, as four different players scored nine or more points. However, they were outrebounded 40-28, which allowed the Wolfpack 10 second chance points–undoubtedly a difference maker in the game.
The Cowgirls’ path towards their second win in league play doesn’t get any easier, as the Cowgirls play host to another team undefeated in conference play in their next outing, the UNLV Lady Rebels.
