Junior Riley Grabau scored a career-high 17 points to lead four Wyoming Cowboys in double figures, as UW defeated the UT-Martin Skyhawks 78-60 in the season opener for both teams Friday night at the Arena-Auditorium. Wyoming used a 15-1 run to close the first half and take control of the game.

Grabau knocked down four 3-pointers, all in the first half, and added three assists. Trey Washington III and Charles Hankerson, Jr. scored 14 points apiece, while Larry Nance, Jr. contributed a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Dee Oldham led UT-Martin with 15 points off the bench. Marshun Newell had 14 and Terence Smith scored 10.

Wyoming (1-0) got out to a 17-6 lead six minutes into the game, but back came the Skyhawks. They knocked down three straight 3's and closed within 17-15. The Pokes went back ahead 30-25 before UT Martin's 7-0 spurt put them in front 32-30 with 4:30 left in the first half.

That's when the Cowboys got their key run. Grabau hit a pair of 3's, Washington III added a 3-ball and then Derek Cooke, Jr. threw down a monster 1-handed dunk on a look ahead pass from Grabau at the 2:30 mark. UW led 45-30 at half.

The second half saw the Pokes keep a steady double digit lead and finish off the Skyhawks by 18. There were 33 fouls called in the second half, which led to a parade to the free throw line.

Wyoming shot 47.7 percent (21-44) from the field, which included 8-19 from 3-point range (42.1%), and they were 28-of-40 (70%) at the line. The Cowboys out-rebounded the Skyhawks 39-28 and finished with 15 assists.

UT Martin (0-1) was 20-57 (35.1%) on field goals, 7-21 (33.3%) from deep and 13-21 (61.9%) at the charity stripe.

The Pokes go on the road for their next game at Colorado on Wednesday night. Game time is at 7 p.m.

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