Preview: Wyoming Cowboys at Colorado State Rams

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Interstat) — A struggling Wyoming team visits a Colorado State squad looking to rebound when the Mountain West women’s basketball rivals meet Saturday at Moby Arena.

The Cowboys (8-14) enter on a two-game skid after a 58-51 home loss to New Mexico on Wednesday. Wyoming has lost eight of its last 11 games and sits near the bottom of the conference standings. Their offense has been inconsistent, failing to reach 60 points in seven of their last eight contests.

Wyoming will lean on guard Malene Pedersen, who has been a bright spot. She is averaging 17.1 points over her last eight games, including a 20-point, 7-rebound effort in a loss at Grand Canyon on Jan. 31. She scored 17 in the most recent loss to New Mexico.

The Rams (17-6), meanwhile, aim to snap their own two-game losing streak after falling 64-51 at UNLV last Saturday. Prior to the losses, Colorado State had won five straight and remains in the upper tier of the Mountain West. Their defense has been a hallmark, holding opponents under 65 points in 18 of 23 games this season.

Colorado State is led by guard Lexus Bargesser, who is coming off a 26-point performance against UNLV. She has scored in double figures in 12 consecutive games and provides a versatile scoring threat.

The matchup pits Wyoming’s Pedersen against Colorado State’s Bargesser in a key backcourt battle. The Rams won the first meeting this season in Laramie, 55-48, on Jan. 7. Wyoming will need to find more offensive production beyond Pedersen to challenge a stout Rams defense on the road.

Saturday’s game tips off at 2 p.m. MST. Colorado State will visit San Diego State next Wednesday, while Wyoming travels to UNLV on Feb. 11. The teams will meet again in Laramie on Feb. 21.