Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
StumbleMWC TOURNAMENT:
MWC LIVE BLOG: Rebels fall to Aztecs, 55-45, must wait for NCAA at-large bid
Late surge keyed by Gay, White paces San Diego State to conference tournament title
UNLV forward Darris Santee grabs a rebound from San Diego State forward Malcolm Thomas during their Mountain West Conference championship game Saturday, March 13, 2010. San Diego State won the game 55-45.
Published Saturday, March 13, 2010 | 3:57 p.m.
Updated Saturday, March 13, 2010 | 6:03 p.m.
UNLV Falls Short of MWC Title
Viewing video requires the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player
del.icio.usFor the fifth time in the last six meetings, San Diego State knocks off UNLV, winning the Mountain West Conference Championship, 55-45.
UNLV Advances to Title Game
Viewing video requires the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player
Brice Massamba scored a career-high 13 points, as UNLV improves to 4-0 against BYU in Mountain West Conference Tournament play, beating the Cougars, 70-66.
SDSU Knocks Off Top-Seeded UNM
Viewing video requires the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player
Behind Green Valley grad Billy White's career high 28 points, San Diego State shocks No. 8 New Mexico, 72-69, in the semifinals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament.
Related Sun Content
- Box Score: UNLV 70, BYU 66
- BYU baffled by continued disappointment in Las Vegas
- Brewer: GV grad Billy White flashing that special athletic ability with San Diego State
- Instant analysis: Another classic game between Rebels, Cougars
- San Diego State claims first spot in Mountain West championship game
- MWC LIVE BLOG: UNLV moves on to MWC title game after knocking off BYU, 70-66
- 2009-10 UNLV Schedule/Results
- All Sun UNLV men's basketball coverage
Reader poll
The Rebel Room
BYU POSTGAME: MWC shines as a whole on this night
-
You need to upgrade your Flash Player
Ryan Greene and Ray Brewer do their best in trying to re-live a night to remember at the Mountain West Conference tournament, which was capped by UNLV advancing to the title game with a 70-66 victory over BYU. Plus, a look ahead to the championship tilt between the Rebels and San Diego State, who UNLV has had a tougher time matching up with this season than any other league opponent.
Final, SDSU wins, 55-45
UNLV couldn't produce any offense late in a sluggish affair with San Diego State, and the Aztecs hit enough timely shots to secure an automatic bid to next week's NCAA tournament, winning Saturday's title game, 55-45.
Freshman forward Kawhi Leonard led the Aztecs with 16 points and 20 rebounds in a remarkable performance, and junior guard D.J. Gay hit a pair of clutch 3-pointers from well beyond the arc late in the second half.
Both teams struggled mightily from the floor, with SDSU going 18-of-46 and UNLV hitting just 17 of 52 attempts. The difference was yet again rebounding, as the Rebels were out-done on the boards, 36-24.
Tre'Von Willis and Oscar Bellfield each scored 11 points for the Rebels, who now must wait 24 hours to to learn their NCAA tournament fate as a potential at-large candidate.
For full postgame coverage, stay tuned to lasvegassun.com/rebels.
3:03, second half, SDSU leads 46-40
D.J. Gay has hit two huge 3-pointers from deep with the shot clock dwindling, and combined with improved defense from the Aztecs, the underdogs have pulled ahead in the closing minutes, 46-40.
Vegas native Billy White also hit two huge shots inside during the recent surge, helping SDSU overcome a four-point UNLV advantage.
Heading into the closing minutes, look for UNLV to turn to Tre'Von Willis, who has just nine points on 3-of-9 shooting so far tonight.
11:56, second half, UNLV leads 38-34
UNLV came out of the halftime locker room with a goal of applying consistent full-court pressure on San Diego State, and so far it's paid dividends on both ends of the floor.
The Aztecs are having trouble setting up any kind of offense, and point guard D.J. Gay is getting more and more tired by the minute.
Meanwhile, Chace Stanback and Kendall Wallace have recently added 3-pointers from the left corner to give UNLV a 38-34 lead with just under 12 minutes to play at the Mack.
Wallace has also come up huge on defense, grabbing a big board just before the latest TV timeout, and earlier forcing a turnover by Tyrone Shelley which led to his trey.
After being out-rebounded 24-11 in the first half, the Rebels are winning that battle in the second category, 7-4. Also, SDSU has only gotten off seven shot attempts so far since the break.
The atmosphere is also beginning to be a factor, as the partisan crowd in UNLV's favor is getting increasingly louder.
Halftime, SDSU leads 25-22
For the third time this season, UNLV has had a tough time taming San Diego State on the glass, but this time both teams are pretty sluggish on the offensive end, meaning it's still anyone's game at the break.
UNLV trails 25-22, as freshman guard Justin Hawkins answered a late SDSU run with a corner 3-pointer just before the buzzer, keeping the Aztecs from taking all of the momentum into the locker room.
The Rebels were out-rebounded by the Aztecs in the first half 24-11. Leading all performers inside was SDSU fab freshman Kawhi Leonard, who had 13 rebounds to go with his six points. Five of his boards came on the offensive end.
Both teams look pretty tired from grueling games each of the last two days, and the benches could decide this second half.
Here are some more numbers of note from the first half ...
— UNLV was just 8-of-25 from the floor and 3-of-11 from 3-point range. As for San Diego State, the Aztecs were 10-of-28 from the floor and 0-for-6 from deep. This comes one day after they started off 4-for-4 from long range against New Mexico.
— Oscar Bellfield leads the Rebels with six points, while Malcolm Thomas has a team-high seven for the Aztecs.
— Hawkins had five points in seven minutes off of the bench. He could add some spark for the Rebels in the second half, as he only played two minutes last night against BYU.
— UNLV's Brice Massamba played just four minutes, picked up two fouls and had trouble grasping a pair of entry passes from Tre'Von Willis. He'll need to come up big for UNLV in the second half.
6:53, first half, game tied 12-12
UNLV held a 10-4 lead on San Diego State following a huge second-chance bucket by Kendall Wallace and a 3-pointer from Chace Stanback, but San Diego State clawed back and is showing its first signs of life today.
Tyrone Shelley and Malcolm Thomas each converted and-one opportunities, while the Rebels have again gone cold from the floor. The game is now tied, 12-12, with 6:53 to go in the first half.
Oscar Bellfield hit a mid-range jumper just before the last TV timeout, giving him a game-high six points on 3-of-5 shooting.
The two teams combined right now are 10-of-36 from the floor, while San Diego State has taken more control on the offensive glass, with six boards on that end. UNLV is losing the rebounding battle right now, 17-9.
11:38, first half, UNLV leads 5-4
It's pretty apparent early on that the deeper bench could be crucial in today's MWC title game between UNLV and San Diego State.
UNLV has the depth, and now it's up to the Rebel reserves to step up some.
After both teams played vicious games each of the first two days of this tournament, they look gassed across the board. Shots aren't falling, and San Diego State's big men, who are typically pretty hyper and active, are quiet so far.
San Diego State is 2-of-14 from the floor, with both makes coming in close. The Rebels haven't fared much better at 2-of-9, but Oscar Bellfield put UNLV on top, 5-4, with a pair of jumpers from the wing.
UNLV is also holding its own inside on the glass. SDSU leads the rebounding battle early, 11-8.
Pregame
It's just about time for today's Mountain West Conference title game between UNLV and San Diego State, and today's game comes down to one thing folks — pride.
I mean, that — plus NCAA tourney seeding — is really all that's on the line today. Both teams are pretty solidly in the field of 65. For SDSU, it's about getting as high a seed as possible. For the Rebels, it's about avoiding the dreaded 8- or 9-seed.
It looks like we'll have a pretty good crowd on-hand today for this one, though it doesn't look like a ton of Aztec faithful made the overnight haul up I-15. Expect it to feel every bit like a home game for the Rebels.
Now onto tonight's three keys to UNLV victory, prediction and 'Pick to Click'
1) For the third day in a row, I can't emphasize this enough — The Rebels' defense needs to make a difference early. With SDSU's thin rotation in the back-court, these guys can be had early if UNLV is as intense as hit has been of late.
2) Brice Massamba playing as well as he did last night, when he scored a career-high 13 points and grabbed six rebounds, can't hurt. SDSU's front-court has killed UNLV this year. There's no sugar-coating that.
3) Chace Stanback has had a tough time scoring against Kawhi Leonard and Malcolm Thomas this year. He needs to be as effective on that end as he was last night, when he hit a trio of threes and scored 17 points.
Prediction I think SDSU's championship game was last night. Honestly, I think this means more to UNLV on its home floor than it does to the Aztecs, who like last year had to expend far too much energy to oust the top seed in the semifinals. I'll go with UNLV 68, San Diego State 60.
Pick to Click Oscar Bellfield has had pretty good success against D.J. Gay this season, especially the first time around, when he had 12 points, six assists and no turnovers in a 10-point Rebels win. I think he roughly duplicates that again today.
Talk to you after tip-off.
Discussion: 29 comments so far…
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.
Post a comment
Never can get enough UNLV analysis and chatter? Then this is the stop for you. Join the Sun sports staff in The Rebel Room for your fix.
Rebels down San Diego State in final minute
Follow the Rebels
Widgets
Jerry Tarkanian: Mike Moser impresses yet again on a day to remember former Rebel greats
Email Newsletters
To view/update your newsletter subscriptions and interests, please visit our Preference Center.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
GAME ONLINE ANYWHERE?
http://www.justin.tv/wootersports#r=fN54...
Slow start scoring wise.......to the 1st TV time out and SDSU's up 2-0.
Low scoring affair.
Both teams might be drained after the games last night.
UNLV's depth could play a big part in this game.
Especially Wallace, I'm thinking. He's UNLV's best offensive weapon off the bench -- Shaw a close second -- and he didn't get too gassed last night against BYU. Neither did Shaw, I guess.
How deep has SDSU gone on the bench so far?
UNLV can run guys in and out and keep reasonably fresh legs in the game......not sure SDSU can do the same !??!
game like watching paint dry(without the bear of course)
UNLV still downed BYU two of three times, so BYU isn't all that great.
With the loss in hand, Rebels will have the worst seed in the MWC. #1 Lobo #2 BYU #3 SDSU #4 UNLV.
Look for an early exit against University of Washington.
There still is a chance the Rebels dont get in the tournament. With UW winning the Pac 10, Cal might bump them out. They are now a bubble team again. Look for the NIT come sunday.
With that back room selection group one never knows if the Rebels go dancing or off to N.I.T. again
exciting season - may next week bring more adventures though perhaps imperfectly - whether in the big NCAA march madness or perhaps march to madness or the NIT. Way to go team - thanks for a wonderful season!
Sorry Rebel fans you weren't playing Mormons today. Today was a game versus athletes, and athletes usually win ballgames. You may still be dancing you just got to hope that all the favorites win their conference tourneys tomorrow. A win by Minnesota, Miss St, or Richmond could be a death blow.
Houston and Washington locking up a bid just make it harder. Still UNLV should get in.
Maybe...................
Love how all the haters rush to post on the Sun after any loss. As much as you morons would love to see UNLV get left out of the big dance, it ain't gonna happen. 25-8, with 5 of the 8 losses to tourney teams (and 5 wins against tourney teams, too). We're probably looking at a 9 or 10 seed, but we're in. Considering the youth on this team, I am proud of them and the coaching job by Lon and his staff. We might still win a tournament game or two, and we will be a very tough team next year. GO REBELS!
And the morons return to comment!
We're fine and we've been fine. We'll be dancing, no question.
That said, we've can look on the bright side.
1. We made it to the championship, better than 7 other teams.
2. We're going to be hungry come Thursday or Friday.
3. The home-court advantage loses steam again.
4. Sufferin, RebelsRTerrible, Canes, lobo69, letsgorebs, and all the other "NIT-Kruger" haters, despite their heavy wishing, were dead wrong about so many things.
We're fine.
4 Mountain West teams in the Tourney... I'm hoping for that anyway, let's hope the Mountain West Conference kicks booty !! good luck to all!!
Congats Rebels. Even though you lost in the finals, it has been an exciting year so far. BTW - Can anyone please tell me why SDSU did not stay on the court for the National Anthem? It seemed disrespectful to our country and it was the only time all year that I noticed a team not on the court for that.
Lobo69 is a true lobo. A complete idiot who knows nothing about tourney selection. UNLV 3x beat ranked teams including BYU twice, New Mexico, and a quality win against tourney team Louisville. the Rebels also have one of the best road records,, which is a criteria, and are 8-5 against the top 100, and 5-4 against the top 50. They're in and were a 7 seed before the game. They will drop back to a 8-9 seed and are not even listed on the bubble. First hobo there is only one person to follow and that is Joe Lunardi who's full time job is bracketology when tourney time comes. Two years ago he accurately seleted the entire field and has an unbelievable accuracy record. But then again we should listen to lobo69 who has an IQ of 69 and is only bitter because his team didn't make it to the finals of the tourney. Nice try moron, go back to hoboland.
Vegas71, I agree. That was pretty classless.
bon voyage Darris Santee.
13 minutes, ZERO production.
Way to go senior/starter. You literally looked like you were moving in slow motion to get that loose ball. ever hear of a rebound?
everyone. the whole team looked pitiful. I never though anything could be worse then that 46 point game vs AFA last year. And then we don't even show up for the conference championship.
what a debacle.
45 freaking points. UNLV just went out and FAILED the "eye test" the selection committee chairman stated they WILL use.
Not so much that we lost, but the way we lost is a major cause for concern. It seems it's just part of this team's "MO" to simply fail to show up on any given night.
Exactly like the championship game for the diamond head classic.
You guys are unbelievable.
We'll see you back on the bandwagon in a week.
@sufferin
I'm so glad you posted that the day before Selection Sunday. It's going to look hilariously stupid when the brackets come out tomorrow and UNLV has a 9(ish) next to their name and are seeded higher than a handful of your so-called locks.
Can't wait for tomorrow. Then we can official add failed bracketologist to your already impressive resume of ineptitude. Pull your head out of the "I hate Kruger" sand.
For what it's worth, Lunardi has updated his bracket to include all games through today. According to Joey Brackets, UNLV is a 7.
Thanks for bringing up Schlabach's bubble watch.
He, too, has UNLV as a lock.
It just baffles me that you can so blindly pine for Kruger's failure. You list Wake Forest, Louisville, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Utah State, and UTEP as locks, but UNLV is on your bubble.
UNLV is right there with all those teams. That's why Schlabach, Lunardi, and every single other legitimate source have them safely in the field.
You've been wrong about UNLV all year. I don't know why I should suddenly expect that to change now.
I've seen a vision of the future. UNLV will be left out of the first round of the NCAA tournament and get blown out at home in the first round of the NIT. Anonymous but courageously opinionated and innovative poster SufferinSuccotash will be appointed special advisor to UNLV athletics. Kruger will bolt for Oregon and Reggie Theus will be hired. The Rebels will immediately return to their rightful place at the throne of college basketball, winning a National Championship within three years.
UNLV will build an on campus football stadium; a beautiful, luxurious, state-of-the art facility. After Hauck leads UNLV to back to back Fiesta Bowl victories, the Pac 10 will invite UNLV to join. The Rebels will leave the MWC and its stupid TV contract behind and embark on an unprecedented 15 year run of football and basketball domination.
Also, unemployment will come to end. Crime will plummet. All of the city's problems will cease to exist. We'll all live in a perfect, Rebelicious fantasy land of perfection. Free at last! Free at last! All is right with the world!
Now you're just being silly....