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No. 13 Nevada tries to remain atop WAC Conference vs. Hawaii

Feb 3, 2007 - 5:52 PM Hawaii (13-9) at No. 13 Nevada (20-2) 8:05 pm EST

RENO, Nevada (Ticker) -- In order to win its fourth straight Western Athletic Conference regular-season crown, Nevada has a limited margin for error.

The 13th-ranked Wolf Pack try to win for the 14th time in 15 games and capture their ninth straight home contest Saturday when they wrap up their regular-season series against Hawaii.

Despite recording its fourth consecutive 20-win season, Nevada (20-2, 8-1 WAC) is tied for the top spot with New Mexico State, three games ahead of Boise State.

The Wolf Pack are coming off Wednesday's 79-71 victory over Louisiana Tech. Marcellus Kemp and two-time reigning WAC Player of the Year Nick Fazekas scored 20 points apiece.

Fazekas, who also grabbed nine rebounds, is shooting nearly 59 percent (159-of-270) from the floor for the season and is averaging 20.2 points and 11.6 boards.

After dropping five of six games in mid-January, the Rainbows (13-9, 4-5) have won their last three contests. However, they have lost six of seven road games this season.

Hawaii extended its winning streak with Thursday's 54-42 triumph over Fresno State. Matt Gibson scored 19 points and P.J. Owsley added 12 for the Rainbows, who went on a 21-0 run bridging the two halves.

Nevada played without Fazekas, who was sidelined with a sprained ankle, in its last matchup with Hawaii, a 68-66 overtime victory on January 12. The Wolf Pack has won all nine encounters against the Rainbows here.