PCAA Roundup : Rebels Win Battle for Top Spot, 88-79

Anthony Jones scored 28 points, and 10th-ranked Nevada Las Vegas wore down New Mexico State, 88-79, Thursday night at Las Cruces, N.M., to claim sole possession of first place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn.

The victory was the ninth straight for the Rebels (18-2 overall, 7-0 in the PCAA).

New Mexico State (11-4, 5-1), playing before 13,709 fans--the largest crowd in the school’s history--led much of the game but finally succumbed to the three-point field goal shooting of Jones and Fred Banks.

Banks hit five three-pointers, including three in a row in the second half when the Rebels wiped out a 66-59 New Mexico State lead. The Rebels converted a trio of Aggie turnovers into points and went on a 13-2 tear during the next 3 1/2 minutes for a 78-72 lead with 4:29 left.

Banks had 21 points, and Armon Gilliam added 16.

New Mexico State, which had its seven-game winning streak snapped, got 25 points from Gilbert Wilburn and 21 points and 10 rebounds from Kenny Travis.

Fresno State 70, Utah State 64--Marvin Carter scored 22 points, including a pair of three-point shots late in the game, to lead the Bulldogs past the Aggies at Fresno.

The Bulldogs (11-7, 4-3) were ahead, 52-50, when Carter hit his two three-pointers, and Fresno State made its last eight free throws to seal the victory.

Fresno State led, 28-23, at halftime but Utah State (6-9, 2-4) made a game of it down the stretch by scoring eight straight points for a 41-40 lead.

Jos Kuipers had 18 points and 9 rebounds for Fresno State, and Greg Grant scored 22 points for the Aggies.

San Jose State 64, Pacific 60--Ricky Berry scored 16 points for the Spartans, who held off the Tigers in the final seconds at Stockton.

The Spartans (11-6, 4-4) built a 51-40 lead with 7:10 to play, but the Tigers (9-10, 2-6) came within 63-60 with 24 seconds left before their rally was halted.

Reggie Owens had 13 points and 12 rebounds for San Jose, and Drew Rodgers led UOP with 16 points.