RENO, Nevada (AP) – Nevada honored its seniors in the Wolf Pack’s final regular-season game – and the upperclassmen delivered an impressive victory.
Caleb Martin scored 25 points and twin brother Cody added 14 to lead No. 17 Nevada to an 81-53 rout of San Diego State on Saturday night that clinched a share of the Mountain West title with Utah State.
The Martin twins – both seniors – combined to shoot 12 of 19 and Nevada (28-3, 15-3 Mountain West) finished at 53.1 percent as a team. Jordan Caroline has 16 points and Trey Porter had 13.
“It means everything to share a moment with my Mom in town, people in town, playing with my brother one last time,” Caleb Martin said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better ending to the regular season and the seniors to go out with a bang here – winning like that against a team that beat us.”
Nevada recognized the collegiate careers of seven basketball players – including six transfers — on Senior Night.
“I told them I loved them and thanked them for taking me and my family on this ride,” Nevada coach Eric Musselman said of his seniors. “Now with guys that have been with us for four years, it’s just a lot different of an experience than coaching at the NBA level. I don’t think after my last game with the (Sacramento) Kings I was hugging everybody, crying and telling them I loved them. I don’t think that really happened with Metta World Peace, K-Mart and those guys.”
San Diego State had as many personal fouls as rebounds (25) – with one offensive rebound.
Nevada grabbed 42 boards and beat the Aztecs 26-12 in the paint. Nevada made 20 free throws to San Diego State’s seven.
“You want to peak at the right time and I think that’s what we are doing,” Caroline said. “We are trending upwards, especially at tournament time.”
The Wolf Pack jumped out to a 16-5 lead in the first five minutes in front of 11,243, but San Diego State answered with a 10-0 run in the final two minutes of the first half and entered the break trailing 42-37.
