The Rustlers possessed the opportunity to make a last second jump from the sixth seed in the Region IX play-in to the fifth, but they had to first complete the daunting task of taking down number one seed Gillette College, who had only lost two games all year, and were ranked 21st in the nation across all NJCAA division one men's basketball teams. 

The Rustlers dominated in the first half, and boasted a 15 point lead by halftime. Julian Ormond and Isaac Patik already had 12 points each by the break, and the Rustlers were scorching hot from three point range, and converted on 47.1% of their attempts in the first 20 minutes. Central Wyoming led by as much as 19 at one point, but the Pronghorns slowly began chipping away at their lead. Halfway through the second half, Gillette brought the score within three points, and after that mark the Rustlers were never able to regain a double digit lead again for the rest of the game. 

Nine more points in the second half from both Patik and Hunter Trego sealed the deal and rattled the conference standings by sending home Gillette with only their second conference loss all season. Patik led the Rustlers in scoring with 21 total points, and CWC bested the Pronghorns, 77-69. 

The Rustlers play next on Saturday, March 8 against number 4 seed Northwest College in Powell in the play-in round of the Region IX men's basketball tournament.