RENO, Nev. – Chico State’s men’s basketball players were not about to just hand over their lunch money to the bullies from Nevada. So they took the first swing and enjoyed a few moments in the sun, building their lead to nine points late in the first half. But the Woolfpack got off the mat and fought back with a 14-0 run, and parlayed that into a 77-60 win in an exhibition game Tuesday night at Lawlor Events Center.
Amir Carraway scored eight of his team-high 18 points during a 13-2 run that gave Chico State a 31-22 lead with 4:51 to play. Carraway’s 3-pointer gave the Wildcats the lead and then he and Jordan Semple (assisted by Carraway) canned consecutive shots from behind the arc to cap the run.
During the Nevada timeout that followed, Wildcats point guard Jay Flores was heard warning his team that the Wolfpack was going to finish the half with a flurry of energy. The Wildcats might have heard Flores, but they couldn’t stop Nevada. Kevin Panzer scored a layup out of the timeout, starting a 12-0 run that ended the half and gave Nevada at 34-31 lead.
The Wildcats remained within striking distance for the majority of the second half. Jason Conrad’s jumper made it 41-39 with 16:04 to play. Carraway’s 3-pointer with 8:09 remaining made it 55-52. And the sophomore’s driving bucket three minutes later had the Wildcats within 62-56.
But Nevada, picked by conference coaches to win the Western Athletic Conference this season, pulled away late to win going away.
Damario Sims finished with nine points for the Wildcats, Josh Jackson six, and Semple and Sean Park five.
Jay Flores led the way with six assists and three steals. Sims notched four assists and joined Conrad with a team-high five rebounds. Boise State transfer Sam Hicks blocked a pair of shots.
The Wildcats will open the regular season this weekend when they host the Mac Martin Invitational this Saturday and Sunday. Chico State will face Alaska Fairbanks Saturday at 2:30 and Academy of Art Sunday at 2:30. San Francisco State will play Academy of Art Saturday at 12:30 and Alaska Fairbanks Sunday at 12:30.
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