Nevada falls to Florida in NCAA Tournament first round

Listed as the No. 7 seed, the Nevada Wolf Pack’s season ended early in a 70-61 loss to the No. 10 seed Florida Gators in the NCAA Tournament’s West first round matchups.

A second half surge put the Pack within a one-possession game with under two minutes left to play, but Nevada went ice-cold from the field to seal their fate. Nevada’s 29 wins this season ties a new school record set in 2006-07.

THE RUNDOWN:

OFFENSE:

• Nevada shot 34 percent from the field and 20 percent from three-point range (5-24). Just two players scored in double-figures in what was arguably the offensive performance of the season. Jordan Caroline totaled just seven points and seven rebounds returning from an achilles injury.
• Turnover Woes: Nevada totaled 14 turnovers, nine of which came in their disastrous first half. The Wolf Pack’s several offensive miscues fueled buckets in transition on the other end for the Gators.
• Martin Twins Battle: Battling flu-like symptoms, Cody Martin scored a game-high 23 points on 8-11 shooting. Martin kept the Pack afloat with big shots from behind the arc and a few timely baskets in the paint. Caleb Martin added 19 points on a dismal 5-21 shooting from the field, but he scored five-straight to fuel the Pack’s second half comeback.

• Poor Free Throw Shooting Costs Pack: Nevada had the chance to tie the game with under four minutes remaining, but they came away with just three points in six trips to the line which got them to the double bonus. The Pack shot 18-25 from the line.

DEFENSE:

• The Gators shot 45 percent from the field and 27 percent from behind the arc (5-18). Four players scored in double-figures. KeVaughn Allen recorded 10 points and two assists in 32 minutes.
• Balanced Effort: Florida got timely offense from two of its biggest contributors, Kevarrius Hayes and Jalen Hudson. Hayes scored a team-high 16 points to go along with three boards. Hudson added 15 points with three-made threes.
• Dontay Bosset put the bow on the contest with the and-1 slam to seal the Pack’s fate.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Turnovers and ice-cold shooting ultimately cost the Pack the game and their season as a whole. For a team that went 29-5, it’s tough to think the year played out as a success being ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation. That being said, this particular Nevada squad demolished school records and packed Lawlor Events Center all season long. This team will truly be missed.

NEXT UP:

Nevada has played its last game of the season, sadly. Utah State plays tomorrow, though.