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San Diego State ousts UNLV on Franklin's game-winner

Jan 15, 2012 - 1:29 AM San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - Jamaal Franklin hit the game-winning basket with 0.3 seconds left, lifting No. 22 San Diego State to a thrilling 69-67 victory over No. 12 UNLV on Saturday.

UNLV's Brice Massamba had made 1-of-2 free throws to tie the game, 67-67, on the previous possession.

Aztecs head coach Steve Fisher elected not to call a timeout and Franklin, from the top of the key, dribbled left into the paint and his runner over several UNLV defenders went down to send Viejas Arena into complete euphoria.

"It was a 1-4 ball screen and I think the first thing is to give a lot of credit to Jamaal Franklin," UNLV head coach Dave Rice said of the game-winning shot. "That's a heck of a hard shot and so he deserves a lot of credit for making that play. We were just a little bit late on the exchange and he made a hard shot."

Mike Moser stepped over the line on the following inbounds play to seal the win for the Aztecs.

"That crowd was absolutely sensational. From start to finish they were sensational. They helped us get this victory without a doubt." Fisher said.

Franklin. who injured his right ankle while going for a rebound a possession prior to the game-winner, finished the contest with 24 points and 10 rebounds for San Diego State (15-2, 1-0 MWC), which has won six straight games over UNLV.

"This was a wonderful college game," Fisher said. "Obviously we are the team smiling today. We have had so many games just like this with UNLV. We have been on the good side as of late. UNLV is a really exceptional team."

Anthony Marshall netted a game-high 26 points for UNLV (16-3, 0-1), which shot just 35.3 percent from the floor, but held a 19-6 advantage on the offensive glass to keep itself in the contest.

"There were numerous times during the course of the game that the game could have gotten away, but we showed a lot of character," Rice said. "In the end, San Diego State made one more play than we did and to their credit, they found a way to win a very hard fought game."

Justin Hawkins hit a deep three-pointer from the left wing to cap an 8-0 UNLV run to knot the game, 62-62, with 3:42 to play in the contest.

But Franklin gave San Diego State the lead right back following a Marshall turnover with a three-point play to make it 65-62.

A pair of Massamba baskets sandwiched around an Xavier Thames jumper made it 67-66 with 1:30 to play.

Massamba was fouled by Thames with 23 seconds left. He missed the first foul shot, but nailed the second to tie it.

The Aztecs led by as many as 10 in the first half before taking a 34-29 advantage into the locker room. Franklin netted 11 points to pace the Aztecs.

The Rebels hit on just five of their first 26 field goal attempts, but closed the opening half 5-of-9 from the field.

Marshall hit 1-of-2 from the line to give UNLV its only lead of the second half, 42-41, with 15:32 to play in the contest.

Game Notes

San Diego State won its eighth straight game while the Rebels had a seven-game winning streak snapped...San Diego State and UNLV have combined to win five of the last six conference titles. The Aztecs have won three... UNLV holds a 32-21 advantage in the all-time series...These squads have never faced each other when both have been ranked in the top 25...UNLV shot 28.6 percent in the first half and 42.4 percent in the second stanza...James Rahon had 22 points for San Diego State.