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Wyoming vs. Northern Colorado final score: Bears fall, 69-60

Northern Colorado couldn't deal the Cowboys their first loss of the season, coming up short in a 69-60 defeat.

Harry How

A narrow first-half lead didn't hold for Northern Colorado, as Wyoming blew the Bears out of the gym in the second half to win Wednesday night, 69-60, in Greeley. Derrious Gilmore scored 24 points, hitting 13 free throws, as the Cowboys stayed perfect on the season.

Four minutes into the second half, the Bears (1-2) held an eight-point lead, 36-28, and looked to be in control. But a 16-3 Wyoming run, including six points by Derek Cooke, Jr., gave the Cowboys (5-0) a 44-39 lead, and from there, they didn't look back. Wyoming outscored Northern Colorado by 12 points in the half, and the Bears never got closer than six points in the final 10 minutes.

Though Northern Colorado shot 43 percent from the floor, only two players—Paul Garnica and Tate Unruh—scored in double digits on the night. The Bears were at a disadvantage at the charity stripe, with just five free-throw attempts to Wyoming's 23. Northern Colorado also committed 20 turnovers in the game.

Gilmore led all scorers with his 24 points, and Wyoming's Leonard Washington double-doubled with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Garnica was tops on the Bears with 13 points, with Derrick Barden adding nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

Northern Colorado will take a holiday break before its fourth game of the season. The Bears will travel to Colorado State on Monday night, with tipoff at 9:00 p.m. EST.