Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai'i men's basketball team had 19th-ranked Nevada on the ropes but fell short in overtime, 68-66, Saturday night, in a Western Athletic Conference match-up at the Stan Sheriff Center. Ramon Sessions' lay-up with 27.1 seconds left in the extra period was the game-winner.

For the second time in as many years, the teams played an overtime session in Honolulu but unlike last year when UH narrowly pulled out a 73-69 victory, the Wolf Pack won this time without its All-American forward Nick Fazekas.

Ahmet Gueye had a monster game, scoring 20 points and grabbing a career-best 14 rebounds. But in the overtime, he misfired on a short jumper with five seconds left which would have tied the game. Instead, Gueye and the 'Bows (10-7, 1-3 WAC) botched the ensuing inbounds pass and the Wolf Pack forced a jump ball with two ticks left. Nevada gained possession and ran out the clock.

Matt Lojeski scored 17 points and pulled down six boards. No other player scored in double figures for UH, who had six reach double digits two nights ago.

Sessions led the Wolf Pack (16-1, 4-0 WAC) with 19 points. Kyle Shiloh added 18 points while Marcelus Kemp was limited to 11, eight off of his season average.

The game featured 12 ties and eight lead changes. UH led 30-26 at the break but the Wolf Pack slowly inched back and grabbed the lead at 50-49 with just under seven minutes left in the second half. The lead went back and forth until Bobby Nash's free throw with 1:33 remaining gave the 'Bows a 60-59 advantage.

After both teams failed to score on their next possession, Dominic Waters was fouled by Session with 36.4 seconds left. But UH's leading free throw shooter made the first and missed on his next attempt giving the Wolf Pack a chance to tie.

Nevada didn't squander that opportunity and after UH used up two of its fouls to give, Sessions blew past Waters for a reverse lay-up to tie it at 61 with 18.1 seconds left. The 'Bows set up a play for the final possession but Lojeski was stripped going up for a pull-up jumper.

In overtime, the 'Bows got on the board first as Lojeski nailed his third three-pointer of the game. Shiloh answered back with a three of his own. But Nash's bucket that put the 'Bows on top by two with 3:12 remaining, would be UH's last points of the night.

David Ellis converted two free throws on Nevada's next possession and Lojeski misfired with 45 seconds left setting up Sessions' heroics.

The 'Bows hit the road where they will face Idaho, Thursday, January 18 and Boise State, Saturday, January 20.

-UH-