It was a split of tournament games in California last weekend for the Wyoming Cowgirls, who return to action Tuesday in Laramie.

Wyoming (3-2) won its first game at the Tiger Turkey Tip-off in Stockton, CA before they fell to the host in game two.

Head coach Joe Legerski talked about a goal of a split going into the tournament, but after winning the first they wanted the sweep.

“We played the home team (Pacific – in game two). What I’ve liked this season, so far, is even in our defeats, we have had the ball with a minute to go, and we’ve made the right play. We just haven’t been able to make the basket.”

Last Friday, the Cowgirls held off North Texas, 53-49. Marta Gomez knocked down four free throws in the final 19 seconds that preserved the victory.

Gomez led the way with 12 points. Tereza Vitulova added 10 off the bench, while three other Cowgirls scored eight points apiece.

Wyoming held the Mean Green to zero fast break points and capitalized on 12 UNT turnovers with 12 points.

UW led 46-39 before North Texas rallied within three. Karla Erjavec knocked down a key three-pointer with 1:05 left for a 49-43 lead. Gomez then sank her free throws.

In their second game against the host team, Pacific, the Cowgirls fell 70-64. A key three by the Tigers with 34 seconds left after Wyoming had missed a three to tie it proved to be critical.

Bailee Cotton tied her career-high with 19 points. Gomez added 17 points. UW hurt itself with 19 turnovers that led to 15 points for Pacific.

After a low-scoring first half, the Cowgirls led 24-21 at halftime. Wyoming was out-scored 31-21 in the third and trailed 52-46. UW tied it at 54-54 on a Clara Tapia lay-up, but the Tigers would surge ahead 61-58. Wyoming missed a three-pointer to tie the game with 55 seconds left before Pacific made theirs just 21 seconds later. Free throws put the game away for the Tigers.

Legerski added, “I’ve been very pleased with the effort we’ve had. We just have to make, what we call, timely shots, but we’re making so many plays against teams on the road, and have really excelled. Happy with the effort, we’ve just got to make one more play.”

The Cowgirls return to action Tuesday hosting Montana State (3-1) in Laramie at the Arena-Auditorium.

Legerski called the Bobcats a very talented team.

“The biggest thing is, you’ve got to take away their 3-point shooting. They really like to transition the basketball. They shoot the ball extremely well from three. They like to get their shots up. In their four games they’re averaging about 25 three’s a game, so that’s first-and-foremost you have to take away. Then, their flexibility of being interchangeable (personnel), very similar to how we are.”

The game starts on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. KOWB (AM 1290) will air the game live. Coverage begins at 6 p.m.

More From K2 Radio