LAS VEGAS — The NCAA called the San Diego State men’s basketballprogram yesterday. The message was clear and concise: Bring yourdancing shoes.
SDSU (21-11) is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first timesince 1985, after knocking off the No. 3 seeded UNLV Runnin’ Rebelsin the Mountain West Conference championships, 78-75, in front of14,347 at the Thomas and Mack Arena.
“We shocked the world,” MWC Tournament MVP Randy Holcomb said.”Nobody believed it but us.”
Said Head Coach Steve Fisher, “The feeling is irreplaceable. Youcan’t have it unless you’re here. This is a big accomplishment forSan Diego State athletics.”
The Aztecs will try to capitalize on that feeling as they travelto Chicago, Ill., where they will face the No. 4 seed University ofIllinois in the Midwest Regional.
To get to Chicago, SDSU had to weather a barrage of furious UNLVcomebacks — something the team has become all-to-familiar with afterthree meetings.
After one Rebel run cut the lead to 50-44, Holcomb (20 points, 12rebounds) took over on the boards, leading the Aztecs on a 10-0charge to seemingly put the game away. With 5:07 remaining, SDSU led68-53.
But, UNLV wasn’t finished.
Wasn’t even close.
“This Vegas team is tough,” Holcomb said. “They are a lot like us.They just wouldn’t die.”
Just as they did two weeks ago when they came all the way back todefeat SDSU in overtime, the Rebels turned up the pressure.
It came in the form of Marcus Banks (18 points).
The junior, who had 34 points after intermission two weeks ago,scored 16 in the second half Saturday. While his offense certainlygot the team closer on the scoreboard, it was Banks’ defense thatignited his teammates and the crowd.
First, a stolen inbounds pass led to a Banks basket with 4:17left. He then cleanly picked Deandre Moore’s pocket and scoredanother. He also nailed a pair of free throws after an SDSU score andfollowed by helping UNLV to force the Aztecs into a five-secondinbound violation, one of three turnovers in four possessions.
With 1:06 left, he breathed life back into the team with athree-point play to make it 74-71.
But history would not repeat itself.
With five seconds left and SDSU still holding a three-point lead,the Aztecs chose to foul the guard and have him shoot a pair of freethrows instead of attempting a game-tying 3-pointer.
“We weren’t going to let him beat us again,” assistant coach BrianDutcher said. “We found a way to survive.”
He hit both, but had to instantly foul Moore (11 points), hisfifth and final foul of the game.
Moore, a 44 percent free throw shooter, nailed both free throws toseal the victory.
“(I was thinking of) nothing,” Moore laughed. “Just make ’em.”
With Banks safely residing on the pine, UNLV was limited to a LouKelly (24 points) desperation, 3-point attempt. It missed — settingoff a celebration like none in recent SDSU history.
“This is the best moment ever,” said senior Myron Epps (fourpoints). “This is what I dreamed of when I signed with San DiegoState.
