The Rustler men followed up the stellar women's basketball game on Tuesday night with a masterpiece of their own. The Northwest College Trappers (15-6, 3-1) rode a three game Region IX win streak into Rustler Gymnasium, but CWC's stalwart defense had other plans for them. And although they lost the rebound battle 39-23, Central Wyoming won the turnover margin, forcing an average of two for every one they gave up themselves. 

After all of this, the teams were still knotted up at 26 apiece by halftime. As the second half commenced, the Rustlers slowly started to creep out in front. And despite a late-game push from NWC in the final minutes, a clutch buzzer-beater block from Mohamed Mahadhi saved CWC from the fate of a last-ditch three pointer. Jordan Peel led the scoring for Central Wyoming, and they added their first one to the win column against a Region IX-North opponent, 55-52.

Unfortunately, they had many struggles of their own on Thursday night against Gillette College. CWC was facing the third highest scoring NJCAA division one team in the nation, and they dug themselves into a hole early. The Pronghorns' mind-blowing three point attack, which is also third in the nation in three point conversion rate, was on full display. Central Wyoming blinked and were behind 50-22, but were then able to rally after halftime and outscore Gillette 45-38 in the second half. Hunter Trego and Camrin Gulley almost had career-high scoring nights, chipping in 17 & 13, respectively, but it was too little too late. CWC found themselves back in the losing column with their 88-67 defeat. 

The Rustlers return home this week for two home games, hosting Laramie County Community College on Friday, February 7 at 7:30pm. They then turn around and play Eastern Wyoming College Saturday afternoon at 4pm in the Rustler Gymnasium.