Wyoming reaches CBI finals with 74-68 win over Utah Valley
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Justin James scored 16 points and Wyoming scored the last six points of the game to defeat Utah Valley 74-68 on Wednesday night in the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational.
The Cowboys (21-14) play Coastal Carolina in the three-game CBI championship series with the first game on the road Monday and the second back in Laramie on Wednesday.
The Wolverines (17-18) took their only lead, 67-66, on two Isaac Neilson free throws with 3:20 to play. James put Wyoming back on top with two free throws at 2:30 and after Utah Valley hit a free throw to tie it, James started the closing run with a free throw at 2:03. The next points came from a Jason McManamen layup with 43 seconds to go.
Utah Valley missed its last six shots in the final five minutes after making three straight 3s to help erase a 10-point Wyoming lead.
McManamen had 12 points to reach 1,000 for his career.
Neilson and Zach Nelson had 15 each for the Wolverines.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Brad Fowler
- Doran Gotschall
- Nate Harris
2024-25 Western Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley | 5-0 | - | 13-6 |
| Grand Canyon | 3-1 | 1.5 | 13-5 |
| Seattle U | 3-1 | 1.5 | 8-10 |
| Tarleton State | 3-2 | 2 | 8-12 |
| California Baptist | 2-2 | 2.5 | 9-9 |
| Utah Tech | 2-2 | 2.5 | 6-13 |
| Southern Utah | 1-3 | 3.5 | 9-9 |
| Abilene Christian | 0-4 | 4.5 | 8-11 |
| UT Arlington | 0-4 | 4.5 | 7-11 |
2024-25 Mountain West Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 8-1 | - | 16-4 |
| Utah State | 7-1 | 0.5 | 17-2 |
| Colorado State | 6-2 | 1.5 | 12-7 |
| San Diego State | 5-3 | 2.5 | 12-5 |
| UNLV | 5-3 | 2.5 | 11-8 |
| Boise State | 5-4 | 3 | 13-7 |
| Nevada | 3-5 | 4.5 | 11-8 |
| Wyoming | 3-5 | 4.5 | 10-9 |
| San José State | 2-6 | 5.5 | 9-11 |
| Fresno State | 1-7 | 6.5 | 5-14 |
| Air Force | 0-8 | 7.5 | 3-16 |
Men's College Basketball News
