The Wyoming Cowboys were no match for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels Saturday night in a 65-42 loss at the Arena-Auditorium. The Rebels built a double figure lead midway through the first half and were never threatened by the Pokes.

UW head coach Larry Shyatt shouldered the blame for the loss. Shyatt said, "I'm ultimately the responsible party when we do or don't play well. I take the full responsibility for our guys playing with less than the energy that they've had this entire year."

Wyoming (18-9, 4-9) trailed only 7-5 at the 16:32 mark of the first half. Then UNLV went on a 12-2 spurt for a 19-7 lead and never looked back. The Cowboys managed only five field goals in the first 20 minutes of action and were down 32-12 at halftime.

UNLV (21-7, 8-5) built the lead to 26 with 10:48 left and picked up just their second road win in conference action.

Shyatt also said, "I did not think our guys posted. I did not think our guys showed the same passion, energy, enthusiasm, aggressiveness, discipline and unselfishness that we have had up to this point."

Derek Cooke Jr. led UW with a career-high 15 points and 9 rebounds. The Cowboys shot 28.8 percent (17-59) from the field. They were only 4-18 (22.2%) on 3's and 4-8 (50%) at the foul line.

The Rebels had four players in double figures. Khem Birch led the way with 12 points and 14 rebounds. UNLV made 50 percent (27-54) of their field goals, were 3-9 (33.3%) from deep and 8-10 (80%) at charity stripe. The Rebels out-rebounded Wyoming 47-25, and they doubled up the Cowboys, 36-18, in points in the paint.

Wyoming returns to action Tuesday night at Air Force. Game time is 7 p.m. You can listen to Cowboy basketball on Y95 Country with coverage set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

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