The Pack Got WAC'd

by Jessica Pacheco on 16 Aug 2007

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During halftime of the last game before the Western Athletic Conference Tournament Coach Mark Fox consoled his highly emotional team. It was the last time seniors Nick Fazekas, Kyle Shiloh, and Dennis Ikovlev would play for the University of Nevada, Reno basketball team.

"I simply told them to calm down," Fox said. "I know this is a really emotional time for us and we need to stick together."

They pulled together in the second half and beat New Mexico State 69-65.

When the men and women Wolf Pack teams went to Las Cruces, New Mexico for the WAC Tournament, they knew their record was at stake. It was their chance to win another championship as they did last year. It was also the senior men and women's last chance to show their skills before their college basketball careers would come to an end. In a surprising upset, both teams lost in the second round of the tournament.

The games started smoothly for the Pack, and despite the bitter rivalry that the teams held against New Mexico State, the pack held their own. In the first round of the women's game, the Pack scored one point ahead of the Utah State Aggies with a foul shot. The Pack was almost defeated in the quarterfinals, but came out on top with their 61-60 win over the Aggies. The Pack's weak defense failed against the aggressive Aggie offense, but when they switched to zone defense in the final five minutes, the Pack won by one point.

"I think we did fine the first half, but our man defense wasn't where it needed to be," Coach Kim Gervasoni said. "I think the turning point was when we went to zone defense."

The following day, the men's team took home an 88-56 win against Idaho State.

"We played very well to open the game, and we were able to give some guys some needed time," Fox said. "We got the win, so I'm very pleased with that."

Guard Lyndale Burleson scored seven points in his 17 minutes of play. Center David Ellis scored 11 points in 13 minutes, including a great 3-pointer.

During the last five minutes of the game, Shiloh, a vital asset to the team, slipped and injured his hamstring. Fox wasn't happy about the injury at the post-game press conference.

"Let that be a statement for the entire nation, that because of the stickers on the floor I just lost a player for a week," Fox said. "It's not New Mexico's fault because they have done a terrific job, but those stickers are dangerous."

Although the Pack seemed confident in their wins, the next day brought more aggressive opponents. The women's team moved on to play against New Mexico State, which brought in rowdy spectators.

The Pack tried to keep up, but their lack of complete sets and failure to make shots cost them a win against NMSU.

After the 73-62 loss, Gervasoni was asked to describe Jessica Preslar and Traci Graham. After a moment of silence, Gervasoni bowed her head and began to cry.

"I just want to publicly thank them for everything they've given me," she said. "I know they'll succeed in whatever they go on to do."

The final day came and the spotlight was on the men's team, which was up against Utah State. Although the Pack was pumped during the first half, they failed to keep up with aggressive Utah. The Pack was left with a depressing second half, and an even more depressing final 30 seconds.

Utah led 79-77 and the clock read 2.5 seconds left. Ramon Sessions clasped the ball, jumped high into the air and plunged the ball towards the basket for a 3-pointer that would win them the game. It bounced off the rim, and the buzzer sounded as the Aggies walked away with a win. Most Pack fans stood in shock.

Fox could hardly keep still in his chair, and he was upset at the loss. Fazekas and Marcelus Kemp sat and stared at the floor.

There was an awkward silence as questions started and someone asked Fox about how he thought the game went.

"You want the truth or the company line?" Fox snapped. "Well, I can't give it to you. We were outplayed tonight."

Fazekas, who merely perked up for the few questions he was asked, commented on going to the NCAA tournament with rare emotion.

"If we don't play in the NCAA that will be bad," he said. "I will be upset. I feel we have played tough teams and should go to the NCAA."

When asked about playing without Shiloh because of his hamstring injury, Fox only had a few words.

"Kyle is a compact player and of course it hurt not having him," he said. "Though, I don't want Kyle's absence to take away from Utah's win. They played well and are coached well."

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