In a thrilling showdown against Fresno State, University of Wyoming’s Obi Agbim proved to be the Cowboys’ hero, sinking a last-second three-pointer to send the game into overtime, where Wyoming secured an 83–72 victory.
The pivotal moment came after a tense second half in which the Cowboys surrendered a 13-point lead and trailed by five with just 27 seconds remaining. Dontaie Allen kept Wyoming’s hopes alive with a critical three-pointer, making the score 65–64. Fresno State extended its lead with two free throws before Wyoming’s Jordan Nesbitt missed a three-point attempt. However, a jump ball gave possession back to Wyoming, setting the stage for Agbim’s clutch shot.
“[Agbim] better take that shot every time — that’s what he does,” Nesbitt said, recalling the moment. “We just practiced that play last night, so I knew it was going in.”
With two defenders closing in, Agbim created space for a step-back three-pointer as time expired. His shot hit nothing but net, sparking wild celebrations.
“Honestly, I didn’t even see it go in,” Agbim admitted. “I just heard the crowd and saw my teammates running toward me. It was a really big moment for us this season.”
Agbim, who had been benched for part of the second half due to foul trouble, emerged as a leader in overtime, knocking down two additional three-pointers to seal the win.
The senior point guard’s heroics evoked memories of former Wyoming standout Akuel Kot, who made game-winning shots for the Cowboys after transferring from Fort Lewis College.
“They called him ‘Big Shot Kot,’” Agbim said. “It’s crazy to think I’m kind of doing the same thing he did last year. It’s really a blessing.”
Agbim currently ranks second in the Mountain West Conference in scoring, averaging 18.1 points per game, and leads the conference in three-point shooting at 47%. He finished the night with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting and five assists.
Head coach Sundance Wicks praised Agbim’s leadership and emphasized the need for other players to embrace their roles.
“We’ve got guys starting to understand the importance of three-point efficiency,” Wicks said. “But we also need our bigs to focus on defense and rebounding. That’s crucial in this league.”
Wyoming will face a challenging test against San Diego State on Saturday, but Wicks believes Agbim’s game-winning shot has infused the team with confidence.
“That magic is important for us,” Wicks said. “It creates a little more belief, a little fairy dust in your pocket for next time.”
County 17 and Oil City News contributed to this report.
