College basketball took over the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline for the first time on Sunday for the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic.
Nevada played perhaps the most thrilling game of the night versus Saint Mary’s.
The Wolf Pack entered the locker room at halftime up 42-35. But the Gaels closed the gap in the second half.
Joshua Dent sunk a basket for Saint Mary’s to tie it at 79-all with 15 seconds left in regulation. Nevada missed its next shot to send it to overtime.
With just five seconds to go in the overtime period, Darius Bivens fouled, and Nevada's Vaughn Weems sunk both free throws to put the Pack up four, 96-92. Dent sunk a three as time expired, but it wasn't enough. Nevada left victorious, 96-95, in a thrilling finale.
“Heart stopping, heart stopping,” says Lisa Scurry, a Nevada fan, when asked about what it was like watching that ending. “I'm glad our boys pulled through."
Stephen Singleton is a relatively new Nevada fan.
“Ever since Myles walker showed up last year,” he says, when asked when he became a fam. “He's one of my former players, so I’m up here to cheer on and support him."
Singleton previously coached basketball for Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Eastvale, California, just outside of Los Angeles. Team alum Myles Walker joined the wolf pack last season.
“I like our chances a lot,” says Trish Mims, a Houston Cougars fan.
A lot of confidence from Houston fans heading into the game against the California Golden Bears, and it’s easy to see why.
The Cougars entered ranked #10 in the country after a Sweet 16 run last year, while Cal was stuck in the NIT. Sunday’s game started off close, but once Houston pulled away Cal couldn't keep up. Cougars win, 86-68.
Every fan we spoke to tells 2 News Nevada the experience on Tahoe's south shore was top-notch, and the scenery a welcome addition to their trip.
“It's a beautiful venue. It’s nice, and not too big, so it's really intimate,” Singleton says.
“The arena is a little cold, but I know that the ice is in,” says Scurry. “Other than that, I love the arena. The games have been great."
“It's been a really highlight of the trip to get to come see this area,” Mims says.
Two other games filled out the ticket at Tahoe Blue.
The California Golden Bears women’s team defeated the San Francisco Dons in the first ever college basketball at the venue, by a score of 87-65.
The 21st-ranked USC Trojans did battle against the Wichita State Shockers. The Trojans won, 93-86.
