Muojeke, Thiam picking up the slack

Richard Anderson photos
Wyoming sophomore Afam Muojeke drives on a Regis University player Saturday. At bottom, right, junior Djibril Thiam looks to make a post move.

By Bobby Abplanalp
Wyoming Sports.org

It took the Cowboys a little while, but big play from starting junior and sophomore forwards Djibril Thiam and Afam Muojeke bolted Wyoming past the Regis Rangers 78-60 Saturday night at the Arena-Auditorium.

Muojeke, the 2009 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, had 18 points on 7-of-12 from the field in 22 minutes, while Thiam was a perfect 9 for 9 shooting on his way to 24 points in 34 minutes.

Much has been said of who will step in place of former point guard Brandon Ewing and his scoring presence. Saturday night, Wyoming fans likely got their answer.

“We got great group of guys and everyone is talented enough to go out there and get 24 or 25 (points) a game,” Muojeke said. “It’s not just me.”

“Afam (Muojeke) is really growing up. I couldn’t be happier with him,” UW head coach Heath Schroyer said. “The ball is really flowing threw him. The best thing about him is that he is starting to see the game through my eyes. He understands when his spacing is bad and he understands when he made a mistake defensively. He’s really just maturing as a player.”

Thiam said it is all about what they need to do as a team.

“If we just come out and do what we have to do, I can score today, tomorrow and Afam can get his. The next day, A.J. (Davis) and JayDee (Luster) can get his,” Thiam said. “We just have to lock up and make free throws.”

Schroyer reminded the media that he has said all along that Thiam has the ability to have a breakout year. While it is just an exhibition, he showed that on Saturday.

“He’s versatile, he can go inside, he can go outside and probably more than anything, he can really run,” Schroyer said. “He’s such a matchup problem if we space the floor the correct way in our transition game. He’s playing with a lot of confidence and we have a lot of confidence in him.”

Wyoming will begin regular-season play next Friday night when they open up with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at 7:30 p.m., in the Arena-Auditorium.