Nevada doesn't tow the line in loss

RENO - If you are still searching for reasons why Nevada lost 83-80 in overtime to UTEP Wednesday night, check out the stats from the free-throw line and the three-point line.

Nevada, a 71 percent team from the foul line, hit just 17 of 27. Nick Fazekas, who hits 79.3 from the stripe, missed three straight at one point. Mo Charlo, who spurred the Wolf Pack rally in the latter stages of the first half, was 5 for 9 which was well below his 74 percent season average.

"We missed some," said Fox, who because of a computer problem didn't have a stat sheet after the game. "I know we missed more than we should have."

UTEP missed only two, nailing 21 of 23. Omar Thomas, who finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds, was a perfect 9 for 9.

Nevada had a 24-19 edge in two-point baskets, but the Wolf Pack were a putrid 5 for 20 from three-point range, including an uncharacteristic 1 for 7 by Fazekas, the team's best outside shooter. Nevada entered the game shooting 26 percent from beyond the arc, and that number will drop a bit.

UTEP, meanwhile, went 8 for 16 from beyond the arc, as Fili Rivera went 6 for 8, including the big shot that sent the game into overtime.

CHARLO SHINES

The up and down career of Charlo took an upward spiral on Wednesday.

The slender 6-7 junior tied a career high with 19 points, going 6 for 12 from the floor, including two three-pointers. He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists to go along with some steady defense.

"He's been inconsistent," Fox said. "Because he is new, he's still making an adjustment. A lot of times it takes a year.

"Hopefully he'll continue to get more consistent."

FAST START FOR FOX

Fox ranks sixth in winning percentage (.786) amongst the 38 new coaches at the Division I level this year as of Wednesday.

Former UTEP coach Billy Gillispie , now at Texas A&M, is 11-1. Current UTEP coach Doc Sadler is 14-2, followed by Utah's Ray Giacoletti, Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery and Ohio State's Thad Matta, all of whom are 12-3.

STRONG BENCH

UTEP's bench players have outscored the opposition in six of the last eight games. The Miners' reserves had been outscored in the previous two games before Wednesday.

UTEP outscored Nevada 9-6, seven of those points by Miguel Ayala, who scores 7.3 a game off the bench. Jermaine Washington had four of Nevada's six bench points.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Fazekas and Pinkney each recorded a double-double. Fazekas finished with 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Pinkney added 11 points and 11 rebounds.

It was Fazekas' fifth of the year and 12th of his career. It was Pinkney's sixth of the season and 11th of his career. The 29 points was a season high for Fazekas. His career high is 32 against UTEP last season.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

UTEP is the only Texas school to win a national championship in basketball (1966). The Miners have made 23 post-season tournament appearances and captured 12 WAC titles (eight regular season, four tournament).

The 1966 national champion Miners had an all-black starting lineup and beat Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp and his all-white starting lineup in the finals. The 1966 Miners are the subject of an upcoming Disney feature film, Glory Road, coming out in 2005. The film stars Josh Lucas as legendary coach Don Haskins and Jon Voight, as the legendary Rupp.

Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281.