Las Vegas, NV (Sports Network) - Joel Wright erupted for a game-high 32 points
and pulled down seven rebounds as the Texas State Bobcats upset the Denver
Pioneers, 72-68, in the quarterfinals of the Western Athletic Conference
Tournament at Orleans Arena.
Wright shot a near-perfect 9-of-10 from the floor and 14-of-16 at the free-
throw line for the seventh-seeded Bobcats (12-21), while Phil Hawkins pitched
in with another 13 points for a squad that now moves to the semifinals on
Friday to take on third-seeded New Mexico State.
The second-seeded Pioneers (21-9) were paced by Brett Olson with 19 points,
followed by Jalen Love and Chris Udofia with 17 and 12 points, respectively.
Royce O'Neale logged eight points and eight rebounds, but shot only 1-of-7
from the field.
Denver fell behind right out of the gate and never fully recovered, shooting
just 37.5 percent from the floor in the first half, compared to 65.0 percent
for the Bobcats who led 37-32 at the break.
In the second half Texas State again shot the ball very well (66.7 percent),
adding 14-of-16 at the free-throw line, but still the Bobcats had to hold on
for the four-point win.
Denver turned the ball over a mere four times, but could not slow down the
Bobcats who finished the evening at 65.7 percent from the floor.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network