Cowboys slip past Colorado St.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Brandon Ewing hit two clutch free throws in the last two minutes and had 16 points and seven assists to lead Wyoming to a 72-67 victory over struggling Colorado State Wednesday.

Daaron Brown added 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench and Justin Williams had 12 points and eight rebounds for Wyoming (11-8, 4-2 Mountain West Conference). The Cowboys shot 50 percent in the second half and overcame 20 turnovers.

Jason Smith led Colorado State (12-7, 1-5) with 18 points and seven rebounds. The Rams have lost three in a row and five-of-six conference games after an 11-2 start.

Michael Harrison put Colorado State ahead 33-31 with a layup and dunk early in the second half, but Wyoming got some momentum when Ewing's two baskets began a 10-3 run that put the Cowboys ahead 41-36. Williams increased the lead to 56-44 with two short hooks and his two free throws with 5:12 left kept it a 10-point game.

Smith's two free throws got the Rams within 63-59 with 3:38 remaining, but they were unable to capitalize on two forced turnovers and went scoreless three possessions. Ewing converted a free throw to make it 65-59 with 1:25 left and the Rams never got closer the rest of the way.

Wyoming appeared poised to blow Colorado State out 11 minutes into the game. Derek Wabbington's dunk for the Cowboys gave them a 21-4 lead while the Rams were 3-for-18 shooting over that span.

But Wyoming was equally inept over the last 6:20 of the half, managing only two free throws after James Ebert made it 25-12 with two free throws. The Rams forced seven turnovers in a 14-0 run and a spinning layup by Stuart Creason gave Colorado State a 26-25 lead. Two free throws by Ewing sent Wyoming into intermission up 27-26.