RENO - Twice Nevada blew 10-points leads Saturday night, and that usually doesn't happen to a dominant home team like the Wolf Pack.
When asked if he was concerned about that, Nevada coach Mark Fox just raised his eyebrows.
"Everything concerns me; everything," Fox said after the wild 69-68 win over Hawai'i.
One thing that Fox should be concerned with is Nevada's 3-point shooting, which has tailed off in the last two games.
Nevada went 5-for-14 against Hawai'i and 5-for-16 against Louisiana Tech. It was at 41.5 entering this weekend. Kemp went 4-for-7 from beyond the arc, but the rest of the team went 1-for-7.
Rebounding is another recent issue. Nevada gave up 13 offensive rebounds, and that's certainly not a stat that Fox is happy about.
BUSMAN'S HOLIDAY
Steve Macy, an associate commissioner for the WAC, was in attendance Saturday night, and he ended up having to be the go-between with the officials and the media after the whacky finish.
The officiating crew refused to speak to Sparks Tribune sports editor Dan Eckles, who was appointed as the pool reporter by Nevada personnel. Pool officials are often appointed when there is a rules question and/or strange ending to a game.
"One official counted the basket, but he didn't confer with the other two officials (right away)," Macy said. "The other two officials said the basket didn't count so they waved off the shot. It was a judgment call and they wanted to get it right."
AROUND THE WAC
Louisiana Tech pulled off a mild upset with an 84-76 win over visiting Boise State, and Utah State outlasted visiting San Jose State. Visiting Fresno State, which was held to 42 points by Hawai'i on Thursday, outlasted Idaho 72-70 in overtime.
FAREWELL TO RILEY
Prior to Saturday's tip-off, outgoing Hawai'i coach Riley Wallace was presented with a rocking chair by Milton Glick, university president, and Cary Groth, Nevada athletic director.
Wallace received a handshake from Glick, and hugs from Groth and Fox.
According to one of the writers who follows Hawai'i, Wallace was presented with a basket of food on Thursday.
After the game, Wallace was chatting with Nevada's Jeff Rabedeaux, the school's facilities and events coordinator, about the best way to get the chair shipped over to Hawai'i.
PAYBACK IS SWEET
Nevada guard Marcelus Kemp admitted that the Pack did dodge a bullet, but he also pointed out that the same thing happened two years ago in Hawai'i when he was charged with an offensive foul in a 73-69 loss.
NOTABLES
Nevada has won its last nine home games and 21 of 22 at Lawlor. Since the start of the 2003-04 season, Nevada has compiled a 57-6 record ... With his four 3-point field goals, Kemp trails Kevin Franklin by six (137-131) ... Nevada is 17-1 when leading at halftime this year and 12-2 in games decided by 10 points or less and 4-0 in games decided by five points or less ... Fazekas scored in double digits for the 21st time this year. He missed two games with a sprained ankle. He scored more than 20 for the 12th time this year and the 60th time in his career. He now has 14 double-doubles this year and 55 in his career ... Nevada has now beaten Hawai'i 10 straight times at Lawlor... With Oklahoma State losing on Saturday, Nevada has a good chance to move up at least one spot in both polls ... The starting time for the Feb. 17 BracketBuster game against Northern Iowa will be announced on Monday. Early indications are that Nevada will play an afternoon game ... Hawai'i had 26 assists and only nine turnovers, while Nevada had 15 assists and 11 turnovers.
•Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281