Nevada falls to SDSU in Mountain West Tournament semifinals

For the second time this season, the Aztecs have outmatched the Wolf Pack in almost every facet of the game. Once again, San Diego State’s physical presence simply overwhelmed Nevada in a 65-56 loss in the Mountain West Conference Tournament semifinals.

The defeat drops the Pack to 29-4 on the season, and subsequently out of the tournament.

THE RUNDOWN:

OFFENSE:

• Nevada shot 38 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range (6-24). Nevada’s 56 points marks a new season low and four players scored in double-figures.
• Jordan Caroline Injures Achilles: Nevada forward Jordan Caroline missed tonight’s action with a reported achilles injury that he suffered in Thursday’s win over Boise State.
• Struggles for the Martin Twins: Caleb and Cody Martin combined for 24 points on 10-26 shooting. The Aztecs hounded them on the perimeter and made it tough on the inside. Cody scored a team-high 16 points with six rebounds. Caleb Martin fouled out of the game in the second half.

• Hidden Spark: Tre’Shawn Thurman’s 11 points and 11 rebounds marked his fourth double-double of the season and helped keep the Pack in the game with a couple timely baskets.

DEFENSE:

• The Aztecs shot 42 percent from the field and 46 percent from behind the arc (6-13). Four players scored in double-figures and recorded 11 assists.
• Devin Watson Comes Up Huge: Aztecs guard Devin Watson scored a game-high 20 points on an efficient 5-10 shooting. Watson killed any momentum the Pack contained with a dagger from three-point range and penetrated inside to dish off to fellow Aztecs inside.

• Three-Headed Attack: San Diego State’s trio of Jalen McDaniels, Matt Mitchell and Jeremy Hemsley didn’t stuff the stat sheet with monster numbers, but their effective play down the stretch kept the Wolf Pack off guard. All three players combined for 33 points and 17 rebounds.
• Points From The Stripe: SDSU went 76 percent from the free throw line, making 13 on 17 attempts. Those points came in crucial moments when the Pack cut the deficit down to four with under five minutes left to play.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Once again, the Aztecs proved to be the Wolf Pack’s kryptonite this season. SDSU bodies Nevada’s guards on the perimeter and their length down low with McDaniels and Mitchell takes away second chance points. Credit the Aztecs for their physical play and taking the Pack out of their comfort zone all game, forcing contested threes and hustling for loose balls. SDSU is a dangerous team as the tournament progresses.

UP NEXT:

With Nevada out of the Mountain West Tournament, they must wait until the NCAA Tournament seedings to find their opponent later this month.