Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada
Wolf Pack Outlasts Dogs
1/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2011
RENO, Nev.
The Bulldogs haven't caught many breaks this season and heading into Thursday night's game against a red-hot Nevada team, they couldn't manufacture enough, including missing a shot at the buzzer that would have forced overtime to overcome a the Wolf Pack squad.
Nevada jumped on the young and scrappy Bulldog team early and in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 4,945 fans held on for its life in a 79-76 victory.
The Dogs showed good ball movement and defense early in the game as the Dogs went up 14-12 at 14:46, as Tim Steed scored five points including a three-ball.
The Dogs were outrebounded 13-3 early as Nevada jumped to a 23-19 lead near the 7-minute mark. Fresno State didn't have an answer for Nevada's Dario Hunt, who scored 15 points and had five rebounds in the first 17 minutes of the game. He score just nine the rest of the game.
Despite some solid Fresno State defense, drawing two offensive fouls, Nevada pushed the lead to 30-19 with 5:21 left in the half.
Tyler Johnson completed a 9-0 run toward the end the half on a monster breakaway dunk after a steal. He was fouled and fell hard to the floor and had to sit out for one possession. Greg Smith converted a Johnson's free throw to bring the Dogs to within 37-32 just before the half.
Smith started the second half with two consecutive baskets and the Dogs pulled to within two points on a couple occasions in the first four minutes.
But within minutes, the Wolf Pack raced to a13 point lead and the Dogs couldn't overcome the home crowd and red hot Nevada team that has won four straight games.
The Dogs made several mini-runs during the second half to keep it tight throughout including 68-64 on back-to-back three pointers by Steed and Kevin Olekaibe with just under four minutes remaining.
It never got closer than one possession until 44 seconds remained when Steed's trey cut the lead to 72-69. The Dogs had a chance to cut the lead to one, but Steed missed a driving lay-up moments later. Nevada answered with a couple free throws to take the lead to five points, 74-69. Smith knocked down two free throws and the lead was back to three points 74-71 with 27 seconds remaining.
Steed added another three pointer with 6 seconds remaining and the Dogs pulled to within two 78-76. Nevada's Deonte Burton made one of his two free throws which allowed Steed to attempt a three-pointer from the top of the key at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime. The ball was on line but just a little long hitting off the back of the iron.
Steed's performance was one of the best by a Bulldog player all season long, with 26 points and nine rebounds. Smith had his seventh career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Olekaibe scored 19 points hitting three three-point baskets.
"The thing that we've done is always compete," said head coach Steve Cleveland. "It was anybody's game there in the last minute. We didn't get it done but had our chances. We had a good look at the end. Tim gave us a great effort. He's finally coming off the injury and he made good decisions. We are playing with a purpose and have been since the second half of the Hawaii game. We just need to keep improving and a lot of maturity to get on the bus tomorrow and get to San Jose and get our heads right to get a win. Losing hurts but we improved and this game will help us down the road. We played a talented and confident team tonight on their home court and came within inches."
The Dogs head to San Jose Friday and will face the arch-rival Spartans on Saturday at 7 p.m. PT.
Bulldog Notes
- The Dogs still own the series lead 46-37 with wins in three of the last five games, including earlier this season at the Save Mart Center.
- Junior guard Tim Steed has played well against Nevada, posting two of his best games of the season. In the Jan. 3 game in Fresno he had a career-high 20 points, which he surpassed Thursday with 26 points. He also set career bests for rebounds (9) and three point field goals (5).
- Fresno State's record moved to 8-11 overall and is 3-5 in WAC games. Nevada is 8-13 and 5-3 in the WAC.
- Both coaching staffs wore tennis shoes on with their suits to bring awareness in the Coaches vs. Cancer cause.
- The Dogs made 21-24 free throws in the game for the best shooting percentage in a game this season (.875).
- In other WAC games Thursday night, Louisiana Tech (10-12, 1-7) defeated Idaho (12-8, 5-3) 71-56 in Ruston, La., New Mexico State (11-11, 5-3) defeated Boise State (12-8, 5-3) 96-87 in overtime in Las Cruces, N.M., and No. 25 Utah State (18-2, 7-0) defeated San Jose State (9-9, 1-6) 84-65 at Spartan Gym.
"We are Your Team!"The Dogs return to WAC action on Saturday, Jan. 29, at rival San Jose State. The game will be at 7 p.m. PT and live on the Bulldog Sports Network, KMJ 580 AM and televised on the WAC Sports Network in the Fresno market on KAIL 53, Comcast channel 13 and also available on ESPN3.
