Cowgirls Hold Off Jaguars And Advance To The WNIT Sweet Sixteen

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Photo credit to Ted Brummond, University of Wyoming Photo Service

LARAMIE, Wyo. (March 24, 2019) – The Wyoming Cowgirls came out energized in the third quarter against South Alabama (25-11, 9-9 Sun Belt), and erased a halftime deficit and claim a 78-71 win in the second round of the WNIT. Wyoming (24-8, 13-5 MW) will host the winner of Saint Mary’s and Pepperdine on Thursday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m.

The Jaguars held a 35-33 lead at halftime, and today was the first win for the Cowgirls this season when trailing at the half, having lost each of their last six tries. The third quarter was the key, as Wyoming outscored South Alabama 22-13 in the pivotal frame.

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The Cowgirls were led by senior Marta Gomez’s 22 points, the 11th time this season the Valles, Spain, native has eclipsed 20 points in a game. She was also a factor on the defensive end with six rebounds, a career-high-tying two blocks and two steals.

Freshman Karla Erjavec carried the load offensively in the first half, scoring 12 of her career-high 19 points in the first 20 minutes. She added three rebounds and a pair of assists. Her first assist of the game set a new Cowgirl record for assists by a freshman in a season with 119. She ended the game at 120 on the year.

Senior Bailee Cotton nearly had a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds. She also had a steal, the 12th game in a row for Cotton with at least one steal. Junior Taylor Rusk and senior Clara Tapia were efficient in directing the offense, as the duo combined for eight assists and zero turnovers. Freshman Quinn Weidemann scored eight points, including an important three-pointer in the fourth quarter, to go along with her three assists and a steal.

The Cowgirls shot 48.1 percent (26-of-54) from the field, 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from three and 76.0 percent (19-of-25) from the free throw line. As a team, Wyoming had 18 assists and just nine turnovers. It’s the ninth game this season with single-digit turnovers for the Cowgirls.

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South Alabama was led by Kines with 15 points and two assists, while Savannah Jones and Antoinette Lewis each scored 14 points with Lewis grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds.

The Jaguars shot 44.3 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from three and 60.0 percent from the free throw line. South Alabama ended the game with 11 assists and 13 turnovers.

The Cowgirls will face the winner of Saint Mary’s and Pepperdine in the third round of the WNIT. That game will be on Thursday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. (MT) in the Arena-Auditorium in Laramie. The game on Thursday will be broadcast on WyoRadio’s 1360 KRKK and streamed at 1360KRKK.com beginning at 6 p.m.

Tickets will go on sale at the Wyoming Athletic Ticket Office starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday morning. Tickets are priced at $15/adult & $11/youth and fans can save $2 per-ticket by ordering online at www.GoWyo.com/tickets($13/adult & $9/youth). Limited courtside seats are also available for $30. Tickets can be purchased ONLINE, over the phone at 307-766-7220 or in person at the Wyoming Athletic Ticket Office.

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