More on last night's WAC games

On the road, Louisiana Tech notches a solid win:

Rolle Gets Crucial Shot, Block in 68-63 Win at TCU
Tech off to best start since 1990
November 28, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas - Magnum Rolle recorded the go-ahead shot and the game-winning block as Louisiana Tech escapes TCU with a 68-63 win on Saturday.

The Bulldogs improved to 5-1 on the season. It is the best start for a Louisiana Tech squad since the 1990-91 season.

"You need games like this where you just have to fight," Tech head coach Kerry Rupp said. "Down the stretch we just had to hang tough. Our guys found a way to make it happen and get the win."

Rolle finished the game with 14 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. His fifth block came against TCU's Ronnie Moss as he attempted to give the Horned Frogs the lead with under a minute left in the game...

Go here for the remainder.

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It apparently is hard to find positives in Fresno State's loss at Santa Clara. Look for Coach Cleveland to crack the proverbial whip:

Cleveland: 'Dogs beat themselves
Daniel Lyght
The Fresno Bee
November 28, 2009

SANTA CLARA -- Fresno State committed turnovers on four consecutive first-half possessions Saturday against Santa Clara, and gave the ball away 20 times in a game for the third time this season.

The Broncos took advantage, scoring 22 points off turnovers. Santa Clara also grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, totaled 15 second-chance points and beat the Bulldogs 74-67 in a nonconference men's basketball game played in front of an announced crowd of 1,332 at the Leavey Center.

It was Fresno State's third straight loss and leaves coach Steve Cleveland knowing exactly the issues that need to be addressed: turnovers and defensive rebounding...

Go here for the remainder.

Daniel Lyght deserves extra credit for this catch (which we will admit knowing nothing about the band or song -- we obviously don't get 0ut much and are ancient, even in dog years): "...The Broncos played DMX's "Ruff Ryders Anthem" during pregame warm-ups ... haven't heard that song in YEARS..."

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Travis Mason Bushman offers but two video interviews in his post about Idaho's splatting of Eastern Washington. With tongue firmly in cheek: let's all chant together -- we want three! we're used to three!

Vandals bury Eastern Washington in a blizzard of 3-pointers
Travis Mason-Bushman
Vandal Nation
November 28, 2009

With a minute and change gone in the second half of Idaho’s home contest against Eastern Washington tonight, Steffan Johnson grabbed a feed from Mac Hopson at the top of the key and buried his fourth three-pointer of the game to put the Vandals up by 25.

Twenty seconds and a Marvin Jefferson block later, it was an instant replay. Hopson dished off to Johnson in the wing and as his shot arced through the air, the 1,500 fans in Memorial Gym came to their feet even before it swished through the net. They knew it would be good — every one before had been.

On the strength of seven straight 3-point makes and a stifling defensive effort, the homestanding Vandals blew out Eastern Washington, 76-54, to go 4-1 on the young season — Idaho’s best start since 1988. EWU fell to 2-4...

Go here for the remainder.

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Nick Jezierny/Idaho Statesman has the details on BSU's win over North Texas -- something very surprising took place.

Boise State men get it done vs. North Texas
Thomas provides spark as balanced Broncos win their home opener
Nick Jezierny
Idaho Statesman
11/29/09

Anthony Thomas wasn't in the starting lineup Saturday in Boise State's first home game of the season.

But the senior point guard was on the court when it counted and his play helped spark a 79-73 win over North Texas in front of 2,650 fans at Taco Bell Arena.

Thomas hit a 3-pointer that gave the Broncos (4-2 overall) the lead for good and then assisted teammate Reggie Arnold on another trey that gave coach Greg Graham's team the cushion to win its home opener for the seventh year in a row...

Go here for the remainder.

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Take your pick with the following or read both for extra credit.

We have a soft spot in our heart for Thunderbirds and Utah State seemingly does so too -- at least they did for the first 20 minutes of last night's game and much to Stew Morrill's chagrin.

SUU, Utah State basketball: Aggies blow away T-birds in 2nd half
Jared Eborn
Deseret News
November 29, 2009

LOGAN — Though his team held a 40-32 lead over Southern Utah at the half, Utah State coach Stew Morrill was far from a happy camper.

The veteran Aggie coach looked at the stat sheet, saw his team had been outrebounded by the Thunderbirds (19-11) and that his two post players had combined for just three shots. And he delivered a strong directive to change a few things.

"I think they got the message at halftime," Morrill said...

Go here for the remainder.

and

Aggies roll in 2nd half
Shawn Harrison
Herald Journal
November 29, 2009

It was not a happy Aggie locker room during halftime Saturday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Utah State was ahead, but poor rebounding had the attention of Aggie head coach Stew Morrill. He gave a message that was heard loud and clear.''

Go here for the remainder.

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The Mercury News used a wire story to cover the SJSU - Pacific contest so we're going with the writeup from the SJSU athletics site:

Men's Basketball Defeats Pacific Behind Owens' 22 Points
Courtesy: San Jose State Athletics
11/28/2009

San Jose-Justin Graham banked in a shot with 11 seconds remaining, and C.J. Webster hit two free throws with one second remaining to seal the win as San Jose State defeated Pacific, 59-55, Saturday afternoon at The Event Center.

Graham got a pass from Adrian Oliver and took about a 12-foot jumper as he squared up to the basket and banked home the shot with 11 seconds remaining for San Jose State (2-2). Pacific (4-1) had two more cracks at the tying the game in the final three seconds but could not put it away. Webster, a 70 percent free throw shooter this year, made both attempts of the one-and-one to give San Jose State the four-point win.

The Spartan defense also contributed to the win as the team held the Tigers scoreless for the final 3:54 of the game. Pacific took a five-point lead at 55-50 on a made Terrell Smith three-pointer. The Tigers went 0-for-5 from the field the rest of the game...

Go here for the remainder.

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We don't do a lot of game previews but this Chris Murray/Reno Gazette-Journal one deserves it -- how does a team have four players drafted after last season and still be a power?

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