March 1, 2008

RENO, Nev. -- Louisiana Tech (4-23; 1-13 WAC) could not overcome a high-octane offense from Nevada (19-10; 11-4 WAC) Saturday night in the Lawlor Events Center and lost by a final score of 87-57.

"They were very good physically," Tech head coach Kerry Rupp said. "Again, they posted us at will. We tried trapping down, and it seemed like no matter what, they found something. We tried to use our offense to help our defense and grind them. We couldn't turn this in a track meet."

After trading points early in first half, Nevada finally created some separation in scoring to take a 14-8 lead at the 12:14 mark after a 6-0 run. The Wolf Pack would outscore Tech 28-17 for the remainder of the half to take a 42-25 lead into the half.

"It would have been a good game if we had stuck with the game plan," Rupp said. "We have to play long and late into the shot clock and stretch and spread people. And we just have to finish. When we get looks inside, we have to convert."

Things would not improve in the second half and Nevada would go on to win the game.

"We're not the kind of team that can get down and think we can get it back all at once," Rupp added. "The kids at the end executed well. So it's just a matter of battling for the rest of the season. We have to be committed to the things that make us successful."

Sophomore Kyle Gibson finished with 19 points while going 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Sophomore JaVale McGee led Nevada scorers with 26.

The Bulldogs return home for Thursday, March 6, at 7 p.m. to take on the Hawaii Warriors. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 97.7 FM in Ruston and live via the internet at www.espn977.com and www.latechtv.com.