Wolf Pack pulls away in final three minutes

The Associated Press


RENO, Nev. — Luke Babbitt scored 20 points to lead Nevada over Oregon State 79-71 on Saturday.

Joey Shaw had 15 points, Malik Cooke 14 and Armon Johnson 11 for the Wolf Pack (2-1), which posted its first home victory over a Pac-10 opponent since beating Washington State on Nov. 16, 1999.

Daniel Deane had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Beavers (0-2). Josh Tarver added 13 points and seven assists and Roeland Schaftenaar had 12.

The game was tight until the final three minutes. With the score tied at 65, Nevada went on a 10-2 run with Cooke hitting four free throws and a short jumper, and Babbitt hitting a jumper and two free throws to put Nevada ahead 75-67 with 56 seconds to play.

OSU pulled to within five at 75-70 on a 3-pointer by Deane with 39.8 seconds left, but could get no closer.

The Wolf Pack outscored the Beavers 15-0 on fast break points and 18-6 on second-chance opportunities. Nevada also had a 35-27 advantage in rebounds.

Nevada led 36-35 at halftime after trailing most of the first half. Schaftenaar and Deane each hit two 3-pointers as the Beavers built a 20-8 lead with 13:18 left in the half. The Wolf Pack chipped away at the lead and tied the game at 32 on a layup by Brandon Fields with 2:23 left.

After Babbitt hit a short jumper, Deane hit his third 3-pointer of the half to put OSU up 35-34. Nevada’s Ray Kramer was fouled with 3.1 seconds left in the half and hit both free throws to put the Wolf Pack back on top.

OSU will host Yale on Monday in its home opener. Tipoff at Gill Coliseum is 7 p.m.