Gay’s clutch play ousts Rebels

As the last seconds ticked away in a tie game, D.J. Gay broke loose, dribbled into the lane and handed UNLV a heartbreaking loss.

Gay made a running jumper from 8 feet with 4.9 seconds remaining to lift seventh-ranked San Diego State to a thrilling 74-72 victory over the Rebels in the Mountain West Conference tournament semifinals.

"I wanted the ball in my hands," Gay said. "I saw a little open space and just took it and hit the floater."

UNLV (24-8) now waits until Sunday for an expected NCAA Tournament invitation.

The Thomas & Mack Center came alive Friday night and a sellout crowd of 18,500 rocked as two senior guards, Gay and Jimmer Fredette, put on a show to remember.

The Aztecs (31-2) advanced to a third showdown with Fredette and No. 8 Brigham Young (30-3) in the championship game at 4 p.m. today. Fredette scored 52 points, his career high and a tournament record, as the top-seeded Cougars defeated New Mexico, 87-76.

BYU won the two previous meetings with San Diego State, each by 13 points.

For a moment, it appeared UNLV was ready to claim a spot in the title game after overcoming a 12-point second half deficit.

With the score tied at 72, Rebels coach Lon Kruger called timeout with 35 seconds to go and designed his last play, a lob from point guard Oscar Bellfield to Chace Stanback, who cut off a screen down the right side of the lane.

"Oscar was supposed to throw the lob, and it just wasn't high enough," Stanback said. "The play was open. I felt like it was the right call.

"It's very disappointing, but that's the way the game goes. Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way."

Bellfield's pass was deflected and stolen by the Aztecs' Chase Tapley with 21 seconds left. UNLV had run the play with success early in the game, and San Diego State coach Steve Fisher suspected it was coming again.

"Coach Fisher knew they were going to do the lob pass," said Aztecs forward Billy White, a Green Valley High product. "They hurt us on it once before. Coach just told us to watch for it."

Fisher made another wise comment in the huddle during the timeout, when he told Gay to get the ball and "make something happen."

Gay drove off a screen by Malcolm Thomas near midcourt and got a clear path to the lane. His floater hit all net.

UNLV had a shot to win, but Tre'Von Willis' off-balance 30-footer missed at the buzzer.

The Aztecs beat the Rebels for the third time this season and for the eighth time in the past nine games.

Stanback scored 22 points and Willis finished with 19 for UNLV. Anthony Marshall added 12 points and hit all eight of his free throws to aid the Rebels' second-half rally.

Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points and Gay had 15 for the Aztecs. Thomas added 13 points and eight rebounds, and White had 12 points.

In a 44-34 halftime hole, the Rebels reeled off a 17-8 run in 7½ minutes. A layup by Willis and Marshall's two free throws closed the gap to 52-51.

But UNLV squandered a few opportunities to tie or take the lead, and Gay drove around Justin Hawkins for a layup as the Aztecs moved back ahead 59-53 at the 9:37 mark.

After a Bellfield 3 and two free throws by Willis, Stanback drove for a fast-break layup -- on a goaltending call against White -- to even the score at 66 with 4:05 remaining.

Stanback's two free throws put the Rebels in front 68-66 with 2:53 left, their first lead since 30-29 in the first half.

The Aztecs tied it on Thomas' two free throws, and after Bellfield's layup attempt was blocked, Tapley scored on a fast break to give San Diego State a 70-68 edge at the two-minute mark. Marshall's free throws tied it again with 1:37 remaining.

After White missed from close range, Leonard rebounded but his shot was blocked, and Stanback's jumper put the Rebels up 72-70. San Diego State knotted the score for the sixth time on Thomas' two free throws.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.