PCAA Roundup : Gauchos Let Game Slip Away to Utah State, 73-72

Kevin Nixon sank two free throws with five seconds left to give Utah State a 73-72 victory over UC Santa Barbara in a Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. game Saturday at Santa Barbara.

UCSB’s Carlton Davenport missed a chance to put the game away when he blew a breakaway layup in the final minute while trying to slow down and force the trailing Nixon into his fifth personal foul. Santa Barbara had a 72-71 lead at the time.

Nixon scored 22 points and led the Aggies (10-5, 5-1) as they came from behind with a 13-4 surge in the final 7:53.

Santa Barbara (11-3, 3-2) led most of the way, taking a 38-33 halftime lead after jumping out in front, 27-10.

Freshman Gary Gray, from Granada Hills High School, scored 17 points for the Gauchos, while Gilbert Pete and Jeff Anderson each added 10 points for Utah State.

The loss was Santa Barbara’s second straight. The Gauchos lost to San Jose, 67-61, Thursday night, snapping a 14-game home winning streak.

New Mexico St. 63, Pacific 59--Guard Virgil Harris scored 6 of his 11 points in the closing 1:23, and center Steve McGlothin grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds to lead the Aggies to a PCAA win over the Tigers at Las Cruces, N.M.

The Aggies (11-7, 4-2) won despite making only 35% of their shots.

Pacific (5-10, 0-5) trailed, 28-25, at halftime and pulled within two points twice in the second half.

Guard Christian Gray, who led the Tigers with 19 points, made a pair of three-point baskets in the final minute to keep the Tigers close.