LAS VEGAS — Luke Nevill had 23 points and 15 rebounds in another dominant low-post performance, and Utah rolled into the Mountain West Conference Tournament title game with a 68-55 victory over Wyoming on Friday night.
Carlon Brown scored 13 points for the second-seeded Utes (23-9), who will face fourth-seeded San Diego State in today’s championship game after easily holding off the Cowboys for their 10th victory in 12 games.
After foul trouble limited Nevill’s minutes in Utah’s quarterfinal win over TCU, the Utes leaned squarely on their 7-foot-2 Australian center against Wyoming. The Mountain West’s player of the year got the ball down low on most possessions in the second half, methodically scoring 12 points and passing out of double-teams by the smaller Cowboys (19-13).
Brandon Ewing scored 13 points and Sean Ogirri had 12 for Wyoming.
San Diego State 64, BYU 62:
Even after his second stirring performance in two days at the tournament, San Diego State senior Lorrenzo Wade rejected the notion he’s carrying the Aztecs through March.
He could afford to stay quiet about his exploits. His teammates and coaches were all too happy to sing his praises.
Wade scored 16 of his 24 points after halftime and hit two key free throws with 7.6 seconds left, leading San Diego State to a 64-62 victory over No. 25 BYU in the semifinals Friday night.
Kyle Spain added 13 points as the Aztecs (23-8) all but assured themselves of a trip to the NCAA Tournament with a tenacious second-half effort against the Cougars (25-7), who haven’t won the conference tourney since 2001 despite being the top seed each of the last three years.
“We’re playing better now because we’re sharing the basketball a lot better, and we’re playing with more intensity,” said Wade, whose Aztecs have won five straight since losing at home to BYU on Feb. 24.
