BOISE, Idaho - The shooting stroke is still a bit off, but Mo Charlo showed some signs of life Thursday night against Boise State.
Charlo, who didn't start for the first time this season, was 2-for-7 from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line for 11 points in Nevada's 82-79 win.
"He's still not shooting like he was earlier," Nevada coach Mark Fox said. "He was much more involved in the game. He played at both ends."
Charlo, who has struggled to reach double figures in recent games, also grabbed two key offensive rebounds in the second half. He turned both offensive rebounds into a basket and a three-point play.
Charlo's first putback sliced Boise State's lead to 51-43. His three-point play off a putback trimmed the Broncos' lead to 55-50 with 13:13 remaining. The 6-7 junior forward dropped in two free throws to cut Boise's lead to 73-72 with 5:12 left.
OUTREBOUNDED AGAIN
Nevada continues to struggle on the glass. Boise State held a 36-21 edge, the third straight game that the Pack have been beaten on the boards.
"We did not rebound like I'd like," Fox said. "We competed at a level I'm proud of."
Boise State had better balance in rebounding. Fazekas had 11 for Nevada, but nobody else had more than three rebounds for Nevada.
CUNNINGHAM COMING ON
Boise State freshman Kurt Cunningham scored 12 points in 23 minutes, connecting on 5-for-8 from the floor.
Boise State coach Greg Graham said that Cunningham has been progressing, and will continue to get more playing time.
Cunningham snapped a 62-all tie with 8:32 left, and then scored on another putback with 7:51 left to make it 68-64.
CHARTER TIME
Nevada flew commercial to Boise Wednesday afternoon, but chartered a private plane to take their 20-member party back to Reno after the contest.
With another game ahead on Saturday against Hawai'i at Lawlor Events Center, it was a smart move by Fox to get the players back in their own beds last night instead of wasting time today getting back home.
FACTS & FIGURES
There were at least four NBA scouts in attendance, presumably to watch Fazekas, who turned in a nice double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Most scouts feel that he will be a middle-to-low first-round pick, and some have said that it wouldn't hurt him to return to Nevada for his senior year ... Boise State owned a 34-24 edge in the paint. Nevada had a 19-10 edge in points converted off turnovers. The Pack also had an 11-10 edge in second-half points ... Tez Banks was a perfect 6-for-6 for 12 points ... Chad Bell hurt his right leg late in the second half, but did return to action. Fox said he didn't know the extent of the injury. Bell had two key buckets in the first half, finishing with four points and three rebounds ... Nevada only turned the ball over 10 times.