Women’s WAC Basketball Tournament: Nevada (3) toughs it out to top Boise State (6)

Sophomore Johnna Ward drives to the hoop during Nevada’s 73-65 victory over Boise State Wednesday evening in the Lawlor Events Center. Ward led the Wolf Pack with 21 points including five 3-pointers.

In a back-and-forth, fact-paced and physical quarterfinal match-up, the Nevada Wolf Pack edged the Boise State Broncos 73-65 Wednesday night on Nevada’s home court at Lawlor Events Center in Reno.

The thrilling second half saw seven lead changes and four ties, but Nevada finally took control in the last minute and a half, denying Boise State a point and forcing three turnovers in that span.

In the key play of the game, with two minutes to go, Wolf Pack forward Cherlanda Franklin made a steal before the Broncos’ Melissa Rima could get the ball past half court, passed to a sprinting Johnna Ward, who dished to Brandi Jones, who made a layup to go up, 66-63.

Daily sports editors set odds to win WAC Tournament and other editor’s give predictions

All odds set by Sports Editors Matthew Kimel and Ryan Buchan

Western Athletic Conference Tournament March 10-14

MEN’S BASKETBALL

UTAH STATE 1/1

NEVADA 3/2

Hornberg: Women’s basketball predicted order of finish in the WAC

Executive Editor John Hornberg predicts the ranked order of finish for women’s basketball teams in the Western Athletic Conference. Each team’s current record/conference record in parentheses.

1. Fresno State (17-6; 8-2 WAC)

Buchan: Men’s basketball predicted order of finish in the WAC

Sports Editor Ryan Buchan predicts the ranked order of finish for men’s basketball teams in the Western Athletic Conference. Each team’s current conference record in parentheses.