RENO, Nev. (Nevada Athletics) – Nevada women’s basketball returned home after two weeks of being way, hosting Weber State, where Lexie Givens jumped to eighth all-time in rebounds in the 66-62 loss to the Wildcats.

Givens recorded 12 rebounds on the night, bumping her to eighth in the Nevada women’s basketball record book after tying ninth last season. With her rebounds, combined with 10 points, Givens got her first double-double of the season. 

The first half started out strong for the Wolf Pack as they scored the first points off of free throws by Dymonique Maxie.

Nevada only gave up the lead once in the opening quarter, which it quickly got back and maintained throughout the remainder of the first 10.

Quarter two began with the Pack up 17-9.

The lead stayed with Nevada through five minutes, with Weber State slowly cutting into it. With 5:13 left in the half, the game was tied at 23. Nevada then found itself playing from behind for the rest of the quarter, trailing 40-27 heading into the break.

In the third quarter, Nevada began its comeback, cutting a once 15-point Wildcat lead down to just six. An eight-point run by the Wolf Pack allowed them to get back into it, beginning with free throws by Rakiyah Jackson. She was followed by back-to-back layups, scored first by Audrey Roden and then Izzy Sullivan.

Givens capped off the run with two more made free throws.

Weber State extended its lead a bit heading into the fourth, Nevada down, 51-43.

The final 10 saw the Wolf Pack’s first lead since the second quarter. Nevada inched its way back in front after a three-pointer by Roden, putting the Pack up, 57-56, with just over five minutes remaining in the game.

Nevada tried to keep the lead, but was unable to hold on, dropping the hard-fought battle to Weber State.

Roden, Maxie and Jackson all led the team with 11 points a piece. Jackson also recorded seven rebounds, followed by Olivia Poulivaati with six. Maxie led both teams in steals with a season high of five.

Nevada will remain at home to take on Morgan State on Sunday at 1 PM.

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Nevada’s Kobe Sanders hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds to lift the Wolf Pack to a 64-61 win over VCU in the Charleston Classic men’s basketball tournament Friday night.

The Wolf Pack (5-1) will play Oklahoma State (4-1) at noon Sunday to close out the tournament.

Nevada’s Nick Davidson scored 15 points, 13 in the second half, to help spark the Pack.

Oklahoma State beat Miami, 80-74 on Friday.

Nevada struggled from the free throw line in Friday’s game, hitting 15-of-26, but hit some from the stripe late in the game. The Rams were 11-of-14 from the free throw line.

Nevada hit 7-of-13 from 3-point range while the Rams were 10-of-31 from deep.

Up Next

• Nevada plays Oklahoma State at noon Sunday in Charleston, S.C.
• Dec. 2, Washington State at Nevada, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 7, Nevada at Loyola Marymount, 6 p.m.
• Dec. 11, South Dakota State at Nevada, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 14, Texas Southern at Nevada, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 21, Colorado State at Nevada, 2 p.m.
• Dec. 28, Nevada at Wyoming, 1 p.m.
• Dec. 31, Utah State at Nevada, 7 p.m.

Las Vegas, Nevada, is known for many things: gambling, drive-thru weddings, massive themed hotels, and, of course, the secrets it keeps (what happens there, stays there, after all). It’s also a haven for foodies, with world-renowned and celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay opening must-visit restaurants both on and off the Strip. And then there’s the buffets, Vegas-sized and often destinations in their own right.

While the heyday of the Vegas buffet may have passed — there are far fewer buffets in the city than there were several years ago — they remain an iconic part of the Sin City experience. But how did they become a mainstay? The roots of Vegas buffet culture trace back to the mid-20th century, when a plan to keep hungry gamblers at the tables led the El Rancho casino to start what they called a “chuck wagon,” offering snacks and cold cuts. It became the Buckaroo Buffet, the first Vegas buffet, and the concept was quickly adopted by other casinos.

In true Las Vegas fashion, the buffets grew larger and more elaborate. By the 1970s, they were everywhere, prompting casinos to explore various methods to attract diners — from high-priced, opulent spreads to mind-boggling “super buffets” with hundreds of food items. This evolution gave rise to the modern buffet, which emphasizes spectacle with made-to-order options and chefs on display preparing the food. Today’s Las Vegas buffets, whether offering luxury or comfort food, might look a little different, but carry on the tradition that has evolved over the past 75 years.

Read more: How Restaurant Steak Tricks Your Tastebuds

Is Vegas Buffet Culture Over?

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down — including Las Vegas. It would prove to be the beginning of the end of the ubiquity of the Vegas buffet. Only about a baker’s dozen of the approximately 70 buffets that had operated in the city prior ultimately reopened. Off-Strip buffets still operate at a loss as a means to keep gamblers fed and spending money. But many on-Strip casinos refocused their energy on other dining options — such as the food hall, which has experienced heightened popularity in the past several years. Now, in addition to those remaining off the Strip, most buffets along Vegas Boulevard are either more limited in their opening hours and offerings, or are much more expensive and extravagant options, such as the Bacchanal at Caesars Palace. However, it’s worth noting that the largest buffet in America isn’t in Las Vegas.

Given the high cost of operating buffets, the reduction in their popularity leading up to the pandemic, and the overarching changes happening in Las Vegas, it seems that they may be a relic of the past. Despite many customers expressing nostalgia for buffets, stakeholders show little interest in reopening them, opting instead to focus on other aspects that enhance customer engagement and generate revenue for casinos. While the number of buffets may have dwindled, those that remain are still serving up satisfying experiences for hungry diners and buffet aficionados. And, who knows? Maybe someday they’ll make a comeback.

Read the original article on Chowhound.