LAS VEGAS — San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher describedSaturday night’s loss to UNLV as only he could, characterizing it as”a crushing defeat.”
SDSU (16-11, 5-7 in Mountain West Conference) didn’t just havevictory within its grasp Saturday — it had a strangle hold on it.
But, just as in the teams’ previous meeting Jan. 26, UNLV (16-9,7-5) managed to wrestle away victory from the Aztecs in overtime,83-76, in front of 11,154 spectators at The Thomas and Mack Center.
“I don’t think this was an opportunity lost,” said SDSU seniorforward Randy Holcomb, who had his 13th double double of the season,a 20-point, 14-rebound performance. “This was taken from us.”
Two factors played major roles in the Aztecs’ loss — executiondown the stretch and a mammoth performance from Rebels’ guard MarcusBanks.
SDSU finished with 19 turnovers, including 11 after intermission.Those 11 giveaways resulted in 19 points for the Rebels as they cameback from an eight-point halftime deficit.
“They wanted it more at the end,” Aztecs’ center Mike Mackellsaid. “We just didn’t execute and take care of the ball like weshould have. This is a game we should learn from.”
What the team learned was how Banks could take over a game. Thejunior used four steals after halftime as a catalyst for an inspiringoffensive performance. Scoring just two first-half points, Banksscored 34 points after the intermission including 12 over the final2:46 of regulation. He added four of his game-high 36 points in OT.
Included in that span was, as Fisher described, a MichaelJordan-esque fade away, 3-point basket to tie the contest at 68 with4.2 seconds remaining.
“Banks wouldn’t miss at the end of regulation,” Holcomb said.”Then he made another basket in overtime to put them up by two.”
It was Banks’ basket with 4:52 left in OT that gave UNLV a 70-68lead — its first of the night. After a quick SDSU basket, theRunnin’ Rebels went on a 6-0 run that seemingly put the game awaywith 1:10 remaining.
Yet the Aztecs still found a way to get back in the game whenMackell (16 points) and Holcomb scored back-to-back baskets.
SDSU had a chance to tie with 35.5 seconds on the clock afterUNLV’s Chris Richardson made one of two free throws, making it a77-74 contest. However, Holcomb was forced to bring the ball upcourt, and after strong contact, had the ball stolen by Banks leadingto a backbreaking-Richardson dunk.
“That’s how the game goes,” said Aztec guard Tony Bland, whofinished with 12 points. “He (Banks) got on a good run and hurt us.”
What really hurt SDSU was its lack of composure at the free-throwline. In the first half, the Aztecs’ strong defense and poor shotselection by UNLV resulted in the Rebels making just 8-of-33 shots.SDSU failed, however, to put the game away, by hitting just 1-of-10free throws and led 27-19 at the break. The team finished 11-of-24.
“Free throws played a huge role,” said Bland. “We had no rhythm atthe line and it hurt us.”
