March 11, 2006
Final Stats
RENO, Nev. -
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Marcelus Kemp scored 25 points and Nick Fazekas added 20 to lead No. 21 Nevada to a 70-59 win over New Mexico State in the semifinals of the Western Athletic Conference tournament Friday night.
Fazekas grabbed seven rebounds and Ramon Sessions had nine assists for the Wolf Pack (26-5), who scored seven sraight points in the final 2 minutes to pull away for their 13th consecutive victory - the second longest winning streak in the NCAA behind Gonzaga's 18.
Elijah Ingram had 17 points and seven rebounds and David Fisher scored 10 for New Mexico State (16-14) in a physical game. Fisher was thrown out of the game for a flagrant technical and Aggies coach Reggie Theus had to be restrained by his assistants as he went after a referee in the closing minute.
Nevada, 16-1 at home this season, advanced to the finals Saturday against Utah State (23-7), which beat Louisiana Tech 68-64 in the other semifinal. Nevada's last loss was at home on Jan. 23 against Utah State, 59-53.
With Nevada leading 38-28 at the half, Fisher scored 10 points during a 16-6 run to start the second half and tie the score at 44. However, Fisher was ejected a minute later for throwing a missed punch at Fazekas, and Kemp made both free throws to put Nevada ahead 46-44 with 10:49 to go.
Ingram's free throws tied it at 46, but Demarshay Johnson and Mo Charlo each converted three-point plays and Charlo added two more free throws in an 8-2 run to put Nevada ahead 54-48 with 6:48 left.
After Ingram made a pair of free throws, Fazekas converted another three-point play to make it 57-50.
Lawrence dunked off a rebound to pull to 57-52 but Kemp's 3-pointer made it 60-52.
Ingram's 3-pointer cut the lead to 63-55 with 2:25 to go. But Fazekas made two free throws, Kemp drove for a basket and then hit a 3-pointer for a 70-55 lead with just over a minute left.
Fazekas scored 12 points in the first 4 1/2 minutes, including two 3s and a slam dunk, and Johnson made a left-handed scoop shot to put Nevada ahead 16-8 at 14:21.
Kevin Ford followed Ingram's 3-pointer with a dunk to pull within 19-13. But Charlo and Kemp hit 3-pointers on a 10-2 run capped by Johnson's dunk to push the lead to 29-15. Nevada led 38-28 at the half.
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