Wyoming upsets San Diego State with 45-43 Mountain West win

It was as ugly as it gets, a grinding game about defense. But there were a few style points, and Josh Adams got the credit. He let a shot fly that was a thing of beauty.

“Clock was winding down, as it was the entire game,” he said.

Adams found a sliver of space deep in the corner and knocked down a 3-pointer that sent Wyoming to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002.

“I’m blessed the ball just went in,” said Adams, who helped lift the fourth-seeded Cowboys to a 45-43 victory over second-seeded San Diego State in the Mountain West tournament championship Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Adams’ shot with 1:02 remaining put Wyoming up 43-41, and Derek Cooke Jr. added two free throws with seven seconds to go.

It was the lowest-scoring title game in Mountain West tournament history and the first time the combined score did not reach 100 points. But that’s how Cowboys coach Larry Shyatt wanted it.

“Well, these guys know I like the 43 part, although I guess some of the pundits nationally feel like the game’s got to change,” Shyatt said. “I love the way these guys play.”

Senior forward Larry Nance Jr. finished with 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks for Wyoming (24-9). Adams, a junior guard, had 10 points and was named tournament Most Valuable Player.

The Cowboys earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Aztecs (26-7) are safely in the 68-team field, too. Boise State and Colorado State, the losers in Friday’s semifinals, will be dealing with some anxiety on Selection Sunday, wondering if a league considered to be mediocre this season will get four teams in the field.

Wyoming overcame the loss of Nance, who was sidelined in February with a minor case of mononucleosis, and an 8½-minute scoring drought to open Saturday’s second half. San Diego State turned a 28-25 halftime deficit into a 33-28 lead on JJ O’Brien’s jumper with 12 minutes to go.

Adams broke the ice for the Cowboys by drilling a 3-pointer, and they regained the lead, 36-35, on Nance’s dunk at the 8:07 mark.

“I think sometimes through adversity you do become stronger and you’re hardened. This team is hardened,” Shyatt said. “They have a good combination of five seniors, five freshmen. These guys have been through a lot.”

Aqeel Quinn, who led the Aztecs to tournament victories over UNLV and Colorado State, suffered through an 0-for-5 shooting day. He missed all four of his 3-point attempts, including a rushed potential go-ahead shot from the top of the key with 10 seconds left.

“We’re not going to win many games when that happens,” San Diego State coach Steve Fisher said. “You’re not going to win many games when you score 45 points, but they did today. You’re sure not going to win many when you score 43.

“We have a team that has proven that we have that same mettle, and I’m disappointed we’re not the ones out chopping the nets down. But we’re not. That’s the reality of it.”

Malik Pope scored 13 points and O’Brien 12 for the Aztecs, who shot 25 percent in the second half and 15-for-46 (32.6 percent) for the game. Quinn had company in his struggles, with Winston Shepard shooting 2-for-10 from the field.

The worst part of an ugly game is being on the losing end.

“San Diego State is an insanely good defensive team,” Adams said. “We’ve been in dogfights all year. This is the style we play.”

It’s the style Shyatt, who described himself as “old school,” teaches and wins with at Wyoming, where he gets recruits with blue collars instead of five-star labels.

“This man, a good way to put it, has brought this program from rags to riches. We love him as a coach,” Adams said. “Everyone said we couldn’t do it.”

The Cowboys brought a large portion of the 10,002 fans and fed off the energy.

“It was crazy. It was a home game,” Nance said. “Every time we scored, you could see three-fourths of the gym stand up and clap.

“We’ve been so close before. Just seeing it slip right from our fingertips. It’s been so many extreme highs and so many extreme lows. It’s everything we imagined and more.”

Adams was joined on the all-tournament team by Nance, O’Brien, Shepard and Nick Duncan of top-seeded Boise State.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247