Frustrating home finale: Nevada stings UNM women in bizarre finish
New Mexico forward Paula Reus, right, attempts to pull the ball away from Nevada players during Saturday’s game at the Pit. Nevada won 83-82.
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The Nevada Wolf Pack pulled off a nifty magic trick late in Saturday’s women’s basketball game at the Pit:
Turning an airball into gold.
Lexie Givens’ put-back with 0.7 seconds left and an ensuing and-one free throw gave Nevada a wild 83-82 victory over New Mexico in front of 6,303 stunned fans.
The bizarre ending was made possible by an Izzy Sullivan airball with UNM leading 82-80 and the game clock running down. Sullivan’s errant shot sailed right into the hands of Givens, who banked in a tying basket just ahead of the buzzer.
While fans prepared for overtime, the officiating crew spent several minutes reviewing the play and ultimately gave the Wolf Pack everything they could have wanted. Not only did Givens’ shot count, but a game-deciding foul was called on UNM’s Nyah Wilson. The crew put 0.7 seconds back on the clock and Givens swished the decisive free throw.
Paula Reus misfired on a rushed turn-around jumper at the buzzer, sending Nevada players into celebration mode while the Lobos and their fans shook their heads in disbelief.
“I don’t know,” UNM coach Mike Bradbury said with a shrug about the final sequence. “(The officials) said she got it off with seven-tenths of a second left and they apparently called a foul. I don’t know.”
The Pit had been rocking just prior to Givens’ three-point play. Aniyah Augmon’s driving layup had given the Lobos a two-point lead with 4.7 seconds showing in a back-and-forth final quarter. Bradbury said the Lobos got what they wanted on Nevada’s ensuing possession, as well.
“It went the way we wanted it to go,” he said of Sullivan’s hasty 3-point try. “We should’ve got the rebound, but the only way they have time for a second shot is if it misses everything. If that ball hits the rim, the game’s over.”
The loss prevented New Mexico (20-10, 11-6 Mountain West) from securing a share of second place, but it was only part of a crazy day in the MWC race. Wyoming defeated Fresno State to pull even with UNM at 11-6, but Boise State lost 67-66 at home to Air Force to remain a game back at 10-7. Colorado State (9-8) lost 68-56 to last-place San Jose State, while San Diego State (9-8) was blown out at UNLV.
As a result, UNM can do no worse than a fourth-place finish and will not play on day one of the Mountain West tournament. The Lobos, who finish the regular season Tuesday at Fresno State, can secure a No. 2 seed with a win.
Still, the Lobos couldn’t help but feel some frustration after Saturday, when a potential second-place clincher slipped from their grasp.
“Yeah, everyone’s down right now,” UNM’s Viané Cumber said. “But I know how good we are and I’m proud of the way we fought through adversity today. I really think this game can make us better and more determined going into the end of the season.”
Paula Reus scored 21 points and Cumber had 17 to lead five UNM players in double figures. The Wolf Pack (15-15, 9-8) had four players in double digits paced by Givens with a game-high 27 points.
The game was out of character for both teams, who have been known for stout defense this season. Instead, UNM poured in 13 3-pointers and Nevada hit 10 — many coming on wide-open looks.
The teams traded scoring runs and the momentum swung back and forth. The Lobos were red-hot early, leading 31-14 after one quarter and building a 39-20 advantage early in the second.
Then it was Nevada’s turn. Hitting five 3’s in the final six minutes of the half, the Wolf Pack trimmed UNM’s lead to 51-44 by halftime. Cumber, who hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter, sat out most of the second after picking up her third foul.
Turnovers began to plague the Lobos in the second half, and Nevada cashed many of them in. The Wolf Pack scored 21 points off UNM giveaways and eventually found itself with a 75-70 lead with 6:29 left in the game.
The teams traded runs from that point on. UNM pulled even at 80 on a Lara Langermann 3-pointer and later took the lead on Augmon’s well-executed drive. Then came Sullivan’s perfectly placed airball.
“That’s four straight games that have come down to the final shot and we’re 2-2,” Bradbury said. “I like a lot of the things we did, especially coming back late, but we obviously had a hard time guarding them and turnovers absolutely killed us. Games like that are tough but we’ve got a big game Tuesday. We’ll turn the page tomorrow and start preparing for Fresno State.”
Photos: Lobos heartbreaking loss against Nevada
