'Pizza Man' Kraemer delivers

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'Pizza Man' Kraemer delivers

BY DARRELL MOODY

Appeal Sports Writer

RENO - Nevada sophomore guard Ray Kraemer will forever be known as the "Pizza Man".

Kraemer drained his second 3-pointer of the game with 36 seconds left, bringing a huge roar from the crowd Saturday at Lawlor Events Center.

It was the 12th trey of the game in Nevada's 88-68 win over Hawaii, earning all 9,258 fans a free personal pizza courtesy of Round Table Pizza. The ticket stub for free pizza can be redeemed today only at Reno and Sparks area stores.

Nevada coach Mark Fox wondered what all the fuss was when the fans went wild. He said after the game he didn't know anything about the promotion.

"Do I get one?," he asked, laughing.

Kraemer has been deadly from beyond the arc in recent games, going 7-for-7 from 3-point range. He went 3-for-3 against San Jose State and 2-for-2 against both Fresno State and Hawaii. He is 9-for-18 from beyond the arc this season.

TIMING SNAFU

The game was stopped four times, including once at the end of the half, because of problems with the clock.

All of the arenas in the NCAA have gone to precision timing where the game officials start and stop the clock with a pack on their belts.

When the game was stopped the second time, Hawaii had started to bring the ball upcourt when the officials noticed the clock hadn't moved and stopped the game.

Both coaches, Hawaii's Bob Nash and Fox, jumped off the bench and voiced their displeasure.

After a several minute delay, the officials ruled that the half had ended. The officials worked the second half without the timing devices, and there was just one disruption in the second half.

"It does disrupt things a little bit," Fox said.

BURLESON EXCELS

Lyndale Burleson only scored three points, but he was a force - especially in the first half.

Burleson hit a 3-pointer, his only field-goal attempt, and also had three steals and five assists in 21 minutes.

FAZEKAS UPDATE

Former Nevada star Nick Fazekas has been selected to play in the upcoming NBA Developmental League All-Star Game.

Fazekas, who is averaging 18.9 points a game, will play for the Red squad. The game is scheduled for Feb. 16 at 2 p.m., and will be played during the All-Star weekend festivities in New Orleans.

Fazekas scored 27 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a 124-108 loss to Albuquerque earlier this week.

A SILVER LOOK

Nevada handed out Silver "Stay True" T-shirts to every fan that entered the arena on Saturday. The sponsors were American Family Insurance, Atlantis Casino, Bully's, John Ascuaga's Nugget, Microsoft, Morrey Distributing, Silver & Blue Outfitters, Tetrus, WEDCO, Wells Fargo and Western Nevada Supply.

Last season, the Wolf Pack hosted a "White Out" with fans being given free T-shirts for the sold-out game against New Mexico State.

FACTS & FIGURES

Nevada is now 11-0 against Hawaii in games played in Reno and now leads the series 14-9 ... Nevada has won 34 of its last 37 at Lawlor ... Kemp's 25-point outburst leaves him with 1,722 career points - good enough for third place - nine behind Alex Boyd, who has 1,731. Kemp has scored in double figures in all 23 games this year and 85 in his career. The Nevada senior is five 3-pointers away from tying Terrance Green for No. 1 on the career list... Nevada is 15-1 when leading at the half and 6-1 when scoring 80 points or more ... Sophomore forward JaVale McGee blocked two shots in the first 15 seconds of the game, but didn't get another the rest of the way, though he did change several shots.

• Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281