Big second half not enough for Nevada boys

Friday, February 4, 2005

By Joe Warren

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada coach John McNeley was frustrated following the Tiger's 58-50 loss to Hillcrest at the Bolivar Liberator Tournament Thursday.

"Same old song and dance," McNeley said.

The coach was referring to another case of Nevada playing well in one half, but not playing well in another.

The Tigers came out flat, scoring only 12 points in the first half as they let Hillcrest build a big early lead.

In the second half the Tigers came on strong, cutting the lead to three with only 3:00 left in the game, only to see Hillcrest hit clutch free throws down the stretch to put the game away.

"We had no aggressiveness early offensively," McNeley said. "We weren't ready to play, for whatever reason. It was a good opportunity because they're similar to what we are (in talent)."

McNeley said the second half comeback would not have been necessary had the Tigers taken care of business early.

"Our approach in the first half was significant in the ballgame," he said.

McNeley said in the second half the Tigers were "constantly in a scramble," as they tried to chip away at the Hillcrest lead.

In the end it was too much for Nevada to overcome.

Ben Wilson led the Tigers with 16 points and Bryan Campbell added 13 in the loss.

Nevada fell to 9-10 this season with the loss.

The Tigers will play Lebanon for third place in the four-team field tonight in Bolivar.

Lebanon lost to Hillcrest Tuesday and to Liberal Thursday.

Hillcrest and Bolivar will play for the title.

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