Bell holds his own against Millsap

RUSTON, La. - Chad Bell has been a forgotten man during Nevada's first 17 games.

He's played much better the last four games, scoring a combined 15 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Bothered by a sprained knee ligament suffered during Monday's practice, Nevada coach Mark Fox was unsure whether Bell would be able to play against Louisiana Tech Thursday night.

Bell logged 20 minutes and scored two points and pulled down four rebounds in Nevada's 65-53 win over Louisiana Tech.

"Chad played well," Fox said. "He probably won't be able to move in the morning.

"He told me at the shootaround that he was playing. He only played six minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, and that was probably a good thing."

Fox said that Bell was probably getting by on adrenaline.

Bell did an admirable job against Tech's Paul Millsap, who finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Louisiana Tech coach Keith Richard said Bell was more effective because he was more physical than Nick Fazekas. Millsap can't back down Bell effectively because Bell is stronger, and when Millsap can't back you down he's not as effective.

FAZEKAS VS. MILLSAP

Not much was decided in the Paul Millsap-Nick Fazekas battle Thursday night.

Millsap was held to 16 points and 11 rebounds, and he did what he does best - get dunks and putbacks inside. Fazekas finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Fazekas scored both inside and outside, and was especially effective with 17 second-half points.

Richard said it was the support players that made the difference for both teams.

"I think Paul did what he could," Richard said. "They had four people, including a 7-footer surrounding him."

Fox didn't believe that articles saying Millsap was the WAC MVP made Fazekas any more excited to play the game.

"He's the same old Nick," Fox said.

Fazekas scored the Pack's first seven points of the second half, sparking a 13-2 surge that gave Nevada a 12-point lead, 39-27, with 14:02 left in the game.

FRIENDLY FACES

Nevada had a small contingent of fans, including Seth Taylor's parents, Ramon Sessions' mother, Ann, his grandmother and niece. Nick Fazekas' aunt and uncle were also in attendance.

Sessions' mom, who also watched the team play at UNLV over Thanksgiving weekend, drove 13 hours to get to the game.

FOX ON A ROLL

Fox won his 40th game against Hawai'i last weekend, tying him with the legendary Jake Lawlor, Nevada's most-successful coach.

Both Fox and Lawlor won 40 of their first 52 games. Lawlor's 40th win came in the first game of his third season. Of course back then, teams played fewer games each season.

FACTS & FIGURES

Nevada is 8-1 when holding opponents to under 60 points. The only exception was when Utah State scored 59 points and beat Nevada by six points recently ... A total of 12 NBA scouts attended the game to see both Millsap and Fazekas, both of whom figure to turn pro after this year ... Nevada has won 15 of its last 18 WAC games ... Winning at Thomas Assembly center isn't easy. Since the building opened for the 1982-83 season, Tech has posted a 223-62 record. It's not Kansas, but it's pretty decent ... Nevada is 7-3 in road games, including four straight earlier this year ... Fazekas has 10 double-doubles this year and 33 for his career. Fazekas has scored in double figures in 20 of 21 games, and has 13 20-point games this year and 37 for his career ... Sessions scored six points, pulled down eight rebounds and dished out three assists in 37 minutes ... Awaiting the Pack on Saturday is New Mexico State, which outlasted Utah State on Thursday. NMSU is probably the surprise team in the WAC this season.