The Nevada Sagebrush

Nevada guard Brandon Fields knocked down a game-winning three pointer on Thursday night against Eastern Washington. Photo by Casey Durkin

With less than 10 seconds left in Nevada’s game against Eastern Washington Thursday and it tied 70-70, Wolf Pack guard Brandon Fields rolled off of a screen set by forward Luke Babbitt along the baseline and popped open in the corner in front of his bench. Realizing Fields was open, guard Armon Johnson passed him the ball. Standing on the edge of the of three point line, Fields took the shot.

Standing silently, players and fans in Lawlor Events Center watched the ball arch toward the basket. When the game-winning shot fell through the net with 4.3 seconds remaining, the crowd and Wolf Pack players erupted.

“I was blessed, it was a blessing to make that shot,” Fields said. “That is one of the best feelings in basketball, when you make a game-winner.”

The first game of the HOOPTV Las Vegas Classic, which Nevada (5-4) won 73-70, was close throughout, with the largest lead being eight points for Nevada when it held a 61-53 edge with 6:21 remaining in the second half.

Eastern Washington slowly chipped away at this lead, though, and tied the game at 70 apiece with 1:25 left in the game. However, the Eagles could not capitalize after tying the game, missing a layup and a three-point attempt in the final minute.

Wolf Pack head coach David Carter said his team could learn a lot from a close game like this.

“I talked to the guys about learning from this game,” Carter said. “It’s a close game, you have to take every possession seriously. You have to make shots, get more rebounds. It helps us for the next game to prepare for a team to come in and want to control the tempo, and that’s a big a learning lesson for us.”

Babbitt led all scorers and rebounders, with 29 points and nine rebounds. Fields scored 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds while Johnson chipped in with 12 points and eight assists. Wolf Pack forward Dario Hunt had a good game defensively, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking three shots, one of which came on a crucial play in the final minute of the game when he sent Eagles guard Kevin Winford’s wide-open layup out of bounds.

Nevada will now play Wagner University at Lawlor Events Center Saturday night in the second game of the Las Vegas Classic.

Damian Tromerhauser can be reached at sports@nevadasagebrush.com

Nevada vs. Eastern Washington Highlights from The Nevada Sagebrush on Vimeo.

QUICKIE STATS:

Nevada:

F Luke Babbitt: 29 points, nine rebounds

G Brandon Fields: 17 points, eight rebounds

PG Armon Johnson: 12 points, eight assists

F Dario Hunt: 7 rebounds, three blocks

Eastern Washington:

G Kevin Winford: 14 points (4-for-5 3-pt FG in second half)

F Mark Dunn: 15 points, five rebounds

G Glen Dean: 13 points, 10 assists

KEYS TO THE GAME:

–Babbitt, Fields, and Johnson each played 38 minutes for Nevada.

– Eastern Washington’s bench outscored Nevada’s bench 31-4 (Marko Cukic scored the 4 points)

– Nevada outscored Eastern Washington 48-26 in the paint

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• Past success raises anticipation for Nevada
• Nevada slips by Shockers in NIT first round, Babbitt moves past Fazekas
• Pack earns bid to NIT, will play Wichita State from Missouri Valley Conf.