OGDEN -- The energy flowed freely around the Dee Events Center all Thursday afternoon.
Weber State's women's basketball team hosted more than 2,000 area elementary schools students for their annual Field Trip Day game.
And the Wildcats played off the enthusiasm from the youngsters, leading for nearly 40 minutes of their nonconference battle with Wyoming.
But just as the game clock wound down, it was the visiting Cowgirls who picked up the pace, forging a 76-68 overtime victory over the Wildcats.
"The girls are battling, giving it everything they've got," WSU first-year coach Bethann Ord said. "They never give up; that's what I love about them.
"We've just got to do a better job of taking care of each other."
Weber State took the lead three minutes into the contest and led for nearly the entire 40 minutes of regulation.
Thanks to several steals by guard Justine Johnson and 11 first-half points from Megan Patterson, the 'Cats took a 31-27 lead into halftime.
"It was a fun atmosphere," said WSU center Mikell Woodfield, who paced her team with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Weber State led by nine halfway through the second half, and still owned a 62-55 edge with 4:36 to play.
But the patient Wyoming squad began to find success with passes to the post, and forced overtime on Kayla Woodward's layup with three seconds left in the first 40 minutes.
"We could feel the energy flowing our way," Wyoming coach Joe Legerski said. "It grew as the game went on."
The Cowgirls shot 66.7 percent from the field in the second hald.
In overtime, Wyoming used a pair of shots each by Ashley Sickles and Chaundra Sewell to put WSU in catch-up mode. The Cowgirls also poked away three straight passes by the Wildcats.
"We had a good first half, but it comes down to making stops," Ord said.
Caela Mohre added 12 points and four assists for the Wildcats (2-9 overall). Reserve guard Jordan Pfau added 11 points and five rebounds, and Amanda Hughes ended up with 11 rebounds and nine points.
"It starts on defense, and we just didn't get the stops when we needed them," Woodfield said. "We're still getting better every game. We are focused on the Big Sky and the rest of the season."
Sewell finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds for Wyoming (3-6), as the Cowgirls' starting five accounted for all but two of their points.
The crowd of 2,615 is the third largest attendance in WSU women's basketball history.
"It's a great tradition, one we'll continue," Ord promised.
Weber State returns to action on Saturday afternoon against undefeated Colorado in Boulder, Colo.
Game time is 4 p.m.
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