Nevada basketball drops close game to Vanderbilt for its first loss of the season

Nevada battled back after falling into a hole in the second half, but the Wolf Pack suffered its first loss of the season, 73-71, to Vanderbilt on Thursday in the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C.

The Wolf Pack plays VCU at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Seton Hall beat VCU, 69-66, in overtime Thursday.

Tyler Rolison and Kobe Sanders each had 13 points to lead Nevada as the Wolf Pack fell to 4-1. Brandon Love had 11 points and Nick Davidson added nine points and nine rebounds.

The Commodores led 59-47 midway through the second half. Nevada got back within one in the final minutes but could not get any closer.

Nevada led by 10 in the early going before Vanderbilt rallied to take a 37-35 lead into the break.

Nevada shot 54 percent for the field (29-of-54) while Vanderbilt shot 47 percent (28-59). Both team shot 6-of-15 from 3-point range.

Nevada had a 33-30 edge in rebounding. Both teams had 13 assists. Nevada committed 16 turnovers while Vanderbilt had 13.

A.J. Hoggard, a Michigan State transfer, led Vanderbilt (5-0) with 18 points, Jason Edwards added 16 and MJ Collins had 15. Vanderbilt plays Seton Hall at 2 p.m. Friday.

Nevada’s bench contributed 28 points, 24 for Vanderbilt’s bench.

The Pack had a lull in the second half before clawing back.

It was the first time Nevada had played Vanderbilt.

Former Utah State coach Ryan Odom is the coach at VCU now.

Up Next

• Nevada faces Seton VCU at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the Charleston Classic

• 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.