Williams Can’t Help Fullerton

RENO — John Williams hoped he might be an inspiration.

As it turned out, Williams was only one more struggling player for Cal State Fullerton on Friday night when he made a surprise return after sitting out 11 games because of a broken wrist.

Nevada brushed aside Williams and the Titans with a 19-2 run at the start and went on to an easy 80-55 victory in the first round of the Big West Conference basketball tournament in front of 7,385 at Nevada’s Lawlor Events Center.

“I just wanted to give it a go and try to help the team but, unfortunately, I think I hurt them more than I helped them,” Williams said.

Williams, who was averaging 17.6 points a game when he was injured, came off the bench 4 1/2 minutes into the game, played a total of 17 minutes and scored seven points, four on a pair of uncontested layups late in the game.

The Titans shot only 19% from the field in the first half--including 0 for 10 on three-point attempts--and managed only 15 points, six fewer than their worst half of the regular season. Fullerton shot only 35% for the game to 51.6% for the Wolf Pack.

Nevada, which has won 13 of 14 games this season on its home court, was led by Big West player of the year Faron Hand with 16 points.

Nevada (19-8) advances to the semifinals tonight against New Mexico State. The Titans (13-14) are winless in their last seven first-round games in the conference tournament.