Dalton scores 36, Wyoming beats San Diego St. in MW opener

Dec 27, 2017, 11:21 pm

LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Hayden Dalton scored 19 of his career-high 36 points in the second half to help Wyoming beat San Diego State 82-69 on Wednesday night in the Mountain West Conference opener for both teams.

Dalton made a career-best 11 free throws, grabbed 15 rebounds and had five assists. Cody Kelley hit four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, both career highs, for Wyoming (10-4).

The game featured eight lead changes and three ties before Wyoming used a 10-0 run to take the lead, 56-50, for good with nearly 14 minutes to play. Jalen McDaniels hit a jumper to pull San Diego State within four points about a minute later, but Dalton scored 12 points during a 21-6 spurt that made it 80-61 with four minutes left.

Malik Pope had 21 points and nine rebounds for San Diego State (8-4). Devin Watson added 13 points and Matt Mitchell 11.