LARAMIE — The University of Wyoming Cowgirls kicked off their exhibition schedule on Monday night with a dominant 75-50 win over Colorado Christian University at the Arena‑Auditorium. The victory, secured by a 25‑point surge in the second half, gives the team an encouraging start as they prepare for the upcoming regular season.
Early Lead and First‑Half Battle
Freshman guard Norah Clark opened the scoring with the team’s first seven points, helping Wyoming jump to an 11-6 advantage before the first media timeout. Colorado Christian (CCU) kept the contest close with hot perimeter shooting, tying the game early in the opening ten minutes.
CCU briefly reclaimed the lead early in the second quarter, but sophomore forward Kati Ollilainen sparked a Wyoming run that saw the Cowgirls regain momentum. Despite CCU leading at the second media timeout and again at halftime, the Cowgirls’ defensive intensity began to shift the tide.
Second‑Half Turnaround
The second half opened with both teams exchanging three‑pointers on consecutive possessions. Senior guard Taylor Donaldson hit a pair of long‑range shots that helped Wyoming pull ahead. Within the first two minutes, the Cowgirls buried a trio of three‑pointers, reclaiming the lead and setting the tone for the remainder of the game.
Donaldson contributed 10 points in the opening stretch of the half, prompting a CCU timeout with 5:28 left in the quarter. After the break, Wyoming continued to press, building a double‑digit advantage that carried into the fourth quarter.
Key Performers and Team Effort
Clark led the Cowgirls in scoring, posting double‑figure points, while Donaldson finished as the second‑leading scorer. Forward Liv Blomkvist was a force in the paint, nearing a double‑double and leading Wyoming in rebounds. Ollilainen, returning to action for the first time since the 2024‑25 season, topped the team in assists.
The bench contributed 27 points, and Wyoming out‑rebounded CCU by a margin of 11. The Cowgirls also capitalized on 20 points off 15 CCU turnovers and recorded an 18‑2 edge in second‑chance points. Wyoming’s shooting efficiency was 46 percent from the field, and the team was solid at the free‑throw line, converting 11 of 14 attempts. Defensively, the Cowgirls held CCU to just 31.3 percent shooting overall and 31.3 percent from beyond the arc (5‑of‑16).
Looking Ahead
The Cowgirls will return to action on Friday night at 6 p.m. when South Dakota Mines visits the Arena‑Auditorium for the final exhibition matchup. Coach name not provided in source emphasized that the team’s balanced scoring, strong defensive fundamentals, and depth will be crucial as they transition into conference play.
Fans are encouraged to attend the Friday game to support the Cowgirls as they continue to build chemistry and refine their game plan ahead of the season opener.
Original reporting: K2 Radio (Casper) — read the source article.
