RENO - Down and out in Northern Nevada.
That's how Mo Charlo has felt the last two-plus weeks. Ever since his career-high 19-point effort against UTEP on Jan. 12, Charlo has scored only 17 points in the past five games, including a scoreless effort against Fresno State. Charlo had a slightly sprained ankle and only played three minutes in Nevada's 66-63 loss to Fresno State last weekend.
Charlo rebounded with a nice 14-point effort in the 76-58 win over Louisiana Tech Saturday night. He also contributed four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, one steal and only one turnover in 23 minutes.
"It feels great," Charlo said. "I've been down and out for a while. It feels good to come out and play with a lot of intensity."
Charlo came off the bench and contributed right away. He scored six points in 2 minute 11 second span, helping Nevada build its early 17-point lead. When Tech cut the lead to 30-24 later in the half, he scored on a coast-to-coast lay-up to cap a 6-0 run and boost Nevada's lead to 15, 39-24.
"We were playing really well," Charlo said of Nevada's start. "I just came in and tried to do the little things."
He added six more points in the second half, including an eye-popping reverse lay-up in heavy traffic.
"Like I said, he tweaked his ankle and I thought I could get away without playing him (much) against Fresno State," Nevada coach Mark Fox said. "He was fresh and played very aggressive.
"Mo can score in so many ways. He can shoot the three, post up and put the ball on the floor."
WASHINGTON SHINES
Senior Jermaine Washington tied his season high with 12 points, enjoying one of his better games of the season.
The 6-5 leaper also pulled down eight rebounds and blocked four shots, tying a career high. He also dished out one assist and had a steal.
"Jermaine and Kevinn Pinkney are two guys that care more about the team than themselves," Fox said. "They do the things that don't show up on the stat sheet. It was nice to see Jermaine get some numbers tonight."
60 IS MAGIC NUMBER
Holding opponents under 60 points appears to be magic for the Wolf Pack. Nevada is 12-0 when holding teams under that figure.
Fox said it's not something he talks about to the team, but he does believe the team is in good shape when it can do that.
"I think we can usually score 60," he said. "I know the Hawaii game was in the 50s (Nevada only had 58 against Georgia and 52 vs. Kansas), but I think we can usually get to 60."
REBOUNDS GALORE
Nevada out-rebounded Louisiana Tech 40-30, making it 14 straight games that the Wolf Pack has won the battle of the boards.
The last time Nevada was out-rebounded was in the 72-69 setback to UOP at Lawlor Events Center, a game that snapped Nevada's 15-game home winning streak.
Nevada currently ranks seventh in the nation in rebound margin (8.8).
BY THE NUMBERS
The second half has been kind to Louisiana Tech this year. The Bulldogs have scored 624 points in the first half and 738 points after intermission. ... A year ago, the Bulldogs had 15 games decided by seven points or less, including two that were decided by a single point. They have had several close games this season. They beat Tulane 69-66, beat Tulsa 58-52, lost 60-58 to Fresno State, lost to San Jose State 88-87, beat Hawaii 61-59 and beat SMU 58-57... Nick Fazekas has led Nevada in scoring 17 of the first 21 games.
DRESS CODE
Nevada assistants Dedrique Taylor, David Carter and Josh Newman, and Louisiana Tech head coach Keith Richard all wore tennis shoes as a benefit for Coaches for Cancer.
Nevada head coach Mark Fox chose not to wear tennis shoes. When Richard and Fox met before the game, Richard smiled and gestured at Fox's feet as they shook hands. None of the Tech assistants wore tennis shoes.
Darrell Moody can be reached at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or by calling 881-1281.
