The Barometer Online

Issue date: 11/16/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Peter Strong Marcel Jones and the Beavers shot just 29 percent from the field against Nevada Thursday night in a 75-47 loss.

OSU managed to keep the game close in the first half, but the hot shooting of guards Marcelus Kemp and Roman Sessions in the second half, along with the Beavers' inability to capitalize on Nevada's 17 turnovers allowed the Wolf Pack to cruise to a 28-point blow out over Oregon State at Gill Coliseum Wednesday night.

The game started out well for the Beavers with Seth Tarver nailing a turnaround jumper on the first possession. The first half remained close thanks to a combination of Beaver hustle and sloppy play by the Wolf Pack.

OSU's defense played well in the early going, forcing a few turnovers, including one by Marcel Jones that he took away for a fastbreak dunk.

Nevada senior forward Nick Fazekas, a third team All-American last season and the team's leading scorer, was notably absent from the Wolf Pack offense in the beginning of the game, clanking his first shot attempt off the side of the board, and being called for traveling in the post.

The Beavers went into halftime trailing by only by seven despite shooting 31.3 percent from the field.

"I thought we were playing well, we finished the half off okay ..." said forward Kyle Jeffers. "Honestly we thought we could have played better, stopping them."

Fazekas found his groove late in the half, and went into the break with 13 points and eight rebounds.

In the second half the Beavers' shooting woes continued as they missed countless jump shots and layups. Every time OSU managed to make a small run, the Wolf Pack had an answer. With about 10 minutes left in the game, Nevada began to pull away.

"Our offense definitely started to affect our defense," Jeffers said. "We weren't getting back, we missed some shots ... it definitely hurts when they get a couple of lay ups at the beginning of the half."

Fazekas continued to quietly pour in points and grab rebounds, while Kemp - who had only five points in the first half - began to find his offense, creating off the dribble and hitting outside jumpers.

"A lot of teams will double-team Nick, so all the other players have to step up and make plays," Kemp said. "My shot was falling and my confidence got high, so that helped me."

Continued...

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