Eastern falls just short at Nevada

RENO, Nev. – Luke Babbitt scored 29 points and Brandon Fields hit a 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to lead Nevada over Eastern Washington 73-70 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Thursday night.

Mark Dunn had 15 points, Kevin Winford scored 13 and Glen Dean had 13 points and 10 assists for the Eagles (4-6), who overcame an eight-point deficit with 6:21 left to tie it at 70 with 1:22 left on a 3-pointer by Benny Valentine.

Neither team could score on its ensuing possessions.

Then the Wolf Pack (5-4 Western Athletic) called timeout with 12 seconds left, and Armon Johnson found Fields on the right baseline for the winner.

Dean’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.

The game had 15 ties and seven lead changes.

Eastern missed four of its last five shots.

It was EWU’s third loss this season against a WAC foe.

“We were significantly better (than against Idaho and Boise State), but that’s of very little consolation to me right now,” EWU coach Kirk Earlywine said.