Rebounding hurts Nevada
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2008 @ 12:47 am
Aggies grabs 23 offensive rebounds in win
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State Aggies led the Western Athletic Conference in rebounding this season with 42 per game.
Nevada came in second with 37 rebounds per game.
After Nevada out-rebounded the Aggies in the previous two wins, Friday’s quarterfinal game of the WAC Tournament showed why the Aggies were No. 1.
New Mexico State won the rebounding battle, 52-25, and the game 83-75.
“We didn’t rebound that well,” Nevada coach Mark Fox said. “You can’t give that team that many extra possessions and win the game.
“Rebounding was the biggest factor. They did a great job on the glass.”
The Aggies had 23 offensive rebounds compared to Nevada’s five. New Mexico State had more offensive rebounds than Nevada had defensive rebounds (23-20).
New Mexico State freshman Herb Pope led the rebounding charge with 13 to go with 18 points. Justin Hawkins led all scorers with 23.
The Aggies scored 14 second-chance points.
“We did a phenomenal job in the key areas we look to achieve in every game,” Aggies coach Marvin Menzies said. “Specifically today, rebounding. It was 52 to 25. My guys were soldiers, warriors. I’m proud of them for answering the call.”
With 1:26 left in the game, Hatila Passos was at the free-throw line. After making the first free throw, Passos missed the second.
Nevada was unable to get the rebound and Hawkins got position over Demarshay Johnson and tipped in a shot.
Instead of Nevada having the ball with a five-point deficit with 1:22 left, it was down seven.
This was possibly the biggest rebound Nevada gave up as it pumped up the crowd and gave New Mexico State momentum.
“It was a tough game,” Nevada’s Marcelus Kemp said. “They just out-rebounded us and that was a big part of the game. We had it, but we kept giving up rebounds.”
The rebounding total was eight less than its season average. On average, Nevada out-rebounded teams by three each game.
At practice Monday, Fox said that he had his team work on boxing out for rebounds. He said that the drill seemed repetitive to the players, but added that they needed to do it.
Nevada will take on Houston today in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational.
Houston doesn’t have that many tall players as the tallest starter is 6-foot-8. Partly the reason New Mexico State had success on the boards was because the Aggies had size to reach for boards.
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on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 at 12:47 am and is filed under Men's Basketball, Sports, Sports CP.
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