Desmar Jackson and Djibril Thiam each scored 13 points to lead Wyoming to a 64-55 victory over Western Illinois Saturday night in a second-round contest in the Cancun Challenge.
Western Illinois took an early 11-6 lead in the game before the Cowboys (2-2) went on a 20-5 run to take a 26-16 lead and never gave it up. Thiam scored the first seven points in the run, and then ended it with a dunk.
The UW defense forced the Leathernecks (2-2) into 12 turnovers in the first half, which enabled the Cowboys to enjoy a 31-25 lead at the half.
The Cowboys led by as many as 13 points - 61-48 and 63-50 - down the stretch.
Western Illinois was led by guard Matt Lander with 12 points.
The two teams, along with six others, will now travel to Cancun, Mexico, for a pair of games on Tuesday and Wednesday to conclude the Challenge.
