LAS VEGAS – With nothing between Josh Hawkinson and the basket but air, Washington State’s all-conference forward leapt for the showy dunk, but couldn’t quite finish it.
The Pac-12’s leading rebounder was able to secure the ball as it caromed off the rim, but he did so by hanging on the rim, and his extra effort was rewarded with a technical foul and a free throw for his opponent.
So it went for a team that was too tired after a slog of a season to possibly compete in an extra game.
Dreams of a bewildering upset gave way to hopes of a well-fought battle, eventually settling into faith that Washington State would most likely not be lapped by Colorado in the points race, if only because the Buffaloes have more games to prepare for.