Nevada Las Vegas Just Escapes San Jose State, 60-59

San Jose State, the team that was supposed to be a year away from being a conference contender, nearly pulled off a major upset Friday night in the semifinals of the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. Tournament at the Forum.

University of Nevada Las Vegas guard Fred Banks made two free throws with three seconds left to give the Rebels a 60-59 win over the Spartans.

UNLV, ranked 10th and 11th nationally, advances to today’s 2 p.m. championship game.

But it certainly wasn’t easy.

“We were very fortunate,” UNLV Coach Jerry Tarkanian said. “They out-hustled us and beat us to every ball. San Jose deserved to win the game.”

The Spartans took a 59-58 lead with 39 seconds left on a Stony Evans slam dunk over UNLV forward Eldridge Hudson.

The Rebels decided to play for the last shot.

Tarkanian wanted the last shot to go to Banks or guard Anthony Jones.

With four seconds left, Banks put up a 21-foot attempt from the left side. The shot was no good, but San Jose State guard Michael Dixon was called for a foul.

“I really don’t think I fouled him,” Dixon said, “But I was much too close for a shot like that. They had to beat us and I was too close. But I didn’t feel any contact.

Banks did.

“He hit me below the leg on the thigh,” he said. “I didn’t think the official would call it because I intentionally fell down.”

Banks calmly sank both free throws to prevent what would have been the upset of the tournament.

Tarkanian said afterward that he had a feeling that his team wasn’t really ready to play.

“We had a good practice today, but when we were walking over here (to The Forum) our guys were laughing,” Tarkanian said. “My feeling is that when you’re ready to play, nobody’s talking.”

Things didn’t get much better once the game started.

UNLV’s star center, Richie Adams, was called for his third foul with 17 minutes left in the first half. Adams, who on Thursday was named the PCAA’s Player of the Year for the second straight season, sat on the bench for the rest of the half.

“At this point in the season, we need Richie to be a real good team,” Tarkanian said. “Without him, we’re like a lot of other people.”

Without him, San Jose State managed to stay within four points (30-26) at the half.

Still, the smaller Spartans deserved some credit. They outrebounded the Rebels, 23-12 in the first half and 37-24 for the game.

Adams started the second half and UNLV took control again, taking a 42-32 lead with 16 minutes left on a basket by Banks.

But San Jose State guard, Ward Farris, kept the game close with an assortment of baskets. He’s only 6-1, but twice in the second half he made slam dunks off passes from the top of the key. Farris scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half.

Things really looked good for the Spartans when Adams fouled out with five minutes left. UNLV only led, 54-50, at the time. Less than a minute after Adams left, San Jose had tied the score at 54-54.

“I know it looks nice for the future,” San Jose State Coach Bill Berry said of his team’s performance, “But I’m disappointed as hell.”

Three of San Jose State’s top players, Farris, freshman Reggie Owens and Evans, all return next year. Joining them is Berry’s son, Ricky, a top player who transferred from Oregon State.

“I feel our kids should have won,” Bill Berry said. “There’s no moral victory in coming close.”

Banks led UNLV with 19 points.