MWC Tournament Semifinals Recap - San Diego State vs UNLV

(2) San Diego State 74, (3) UNLV 72

In the hands of such able-bodied closers, San Diego State fans knew this one would turn out okay.

With the score knotted at 72 at the clock ticking down under 20 seconds in regulation time, head coach Steve Fisher refused to call a timeout and set up a play. He already knew the player he wanted to have the ball, senior D.J. Gay. Gay didn’t disappoint. As cool, calm, and collected as one could be under such distress, Gay called for a ball-screen, cut left, found the lane wide open and floated an 8-footer into the net with four seconds remaining to send the Aztecs to the Mountain West Conference final for the third straight year.

It wasn’t the first time D.J. Gay has come up clutch this season. Gay’s game-winning baseline jumper sent Colorado State packing in February. The March variety was much more audacious. The Aztecs defeated the Rebels for the fifth straight time, and the third straight time at Thomas and Mack Center, with two of those coming in the MWC Tournament. San Diego State beat UNLV in last season’s Tournament final. Gay’s heroics paved the way for a third meeting with top-seeded BYU. The Aztecs, who’s only two losses of the season came at the hands of the Cougars, are primed and ready to make amends.

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Friday’s battle with UNLV can only be described as a great basketball game between two squads who knew each other well. The Rebels came out flat and found themselves down 23-13 early. Just as they would all night long, the Rebels responded with a run of their own. UNLV closed to 37-34 with just over two minutes to play in the stanza. San Diego State countered with a 7-0 run in the final 1:10 to take a 10 point lead into the halftime locker room.

During the first quarter of the second half the Rebels trimmed the lead to just two. What followed was a tremendous 15 minutes of basketball which saw both teams jockeying for the lead, making big plays, and bringing high caliber energy on every possession. With the score tied at 70 with just over a minute left, UNLV’s Chase Stanbeck buried an 18-foot jumper to give the Rebels a two-point lead. San Diego State’s Malcolm Thomas answered with two free-throws of his own and the score was deadlocked once again. Out of a timeout, UNLV head coach Lon Kruger called for a lob to the basket, which was broken up by Thomas, setting the stage for yet another piece of art from Gay.

Some say a second chance is as good as gold. For the San Diego State Aztecs basketball squad, they get a third. A third opportunity to solve the only enigma to defeat them this year. A third opportunity to give the Cougars the same stinging dose of losing they have been dealt twice this season. With a combination like Steve Fisher and DJ Gay, the Cougars better not hope the game comes down to the wire.

Next Game: Mountain West Tournament Championship – 7:05 p.m. ET, Versus

(2) San Diego State vs. (1) BYU

By: Zach Bloxham
DFN Sports Staff Writer