It wasn’t a pleasure cruise, but San Diego State stayed on course Friday night for a possible automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
It took a mighty effort by Brandon Heath to lift the Aztecs to a 63-60 victory over Nevada-Las Vegas in a Mountain West Conference Tournament semifinal at the Pepsi Center.
Heath connected for nine of his team’s last 13 points, including a clutch 3-point field goal that put San Diego State up 61-60 with 38 seconds to play. John Sharper’s two free throws with six seconds left provided a three-point cushion.
The Rebels had a chance to tie, but Aztecs coach Steve Fisher instructed Matt Thomas to foul after the Rebels pushed the ball past midcourt. But UNLV’s Ricky Morgan missed the first of a one-and-one free-throw situation.
“We had to foul them,” Fisher said. “Brandon has been a player who demands the ball when winning is on the line. He’s made a ton of big-time baskets.”
Heath, who scored 22 points, got help from Marcus Slaughter, who had 16 points and 14 rebounds.
UNLV’s bid for an upset over the MWC regular-season champions was triggered by Jo’Van Adams, who had 14 points, three assists and three steals. Adams’ jumper with 47 seconds left put the Rebels ahead 60-58.
With San Diego State becoming only the third regular-season champion to reach the tournament final in the seven years of the MWC, speculation turned to the NCAA Tournament.
“There can be a strong case made for Air Force and BYU,” Fisher said. “Hopefully, there will be people to argue that there should be multiple entries from the Mountain West Conference.”
MWC commissioner Craig Thompson joined the speculation.
“If San Diego State wins our tournament, I think it increases Air Force’s chances,” Thompson said. “If San Diego State loses our tournament, I think it would get the preferential treatment for an at-large berth.”
UNLV (17-13)
Amundson 3-4 0-0 6, Villepigue 2-3 2-2 6, Adams 7-15 0-2 14, Morgan 4-15 2-3 13, Terry 0-7 0-0 0, White 5-11 2-2 12, Berkey 0-1 0-0 0, Darger 1-2 0-0 3, Essengue 3-4 0-0 6. Totals 25-62 6-9 60.
SAN DIEGO ST. (23-8)
Spain 2-5 2-2 6, Abukar 2-9 3-4 7, Slaughter 3-6 10-12 16, Heath 9-21 2-2 22, Williams 3-7 0-0 7, Sharper 1-6 2-2 5, Davis 0-0 0-0 0, Thomas 0-0 0-1 0, Camara 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-54 19-23 63.
Halftime – San Diego State 33-26. 3-point goals – UNLV 4-18 (Morgan 3-8, Darger 1-2, Terry 0-3, Adams 0-5), San Diego St. 4-19 (Heath 2-9, Williams 1-2, Sharper 1-5, Spain 0-1, Abukar 0-2). Fouled out – Amundson. Rebounds – UNLV 38 (Amundson 9), San Diego St. 35 (Slaughter 14). Assists – UNLV 10 (Adams, Morgan, Terry 3), San Diego St. 11 (Slaughter 4). Total fouls – UNLV 22, San Diego St. 16. A – N/A.
Irv Moss can be reached on 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
