Once again, Nevada had a good start, then hit a lull, followed by a strong finish and the Pack came away with its second win to open the college basketball season.
Kobe Sanders had a an off shooting night, but still scored 20 points to lead Nevada past Washington, 63-53, on Saturday at Lawlor Events Center.
Sanders, who shot 5-of-16 from the field, was 9-of-10 from the free throw line and also dished out five assists and grabbed four rebounds. Nick Davidson added 14 points and had a team-high nine rebounds and Tre Coleman had 10 points.
Coleman said the win over a Big 10 Conference team is nice, but the Pack is looking ahead to its next game.
“We’ve got to keep striving to get better and better every game,” he said.
Nevada has had two tough, physical gams to start the season after beating Sam Houston State on Monday. Coach Steve Alford said the Pack is learning how to play those kind of demanding games.
The Pack did not shoot well, 21-of-55 from the field (38 percent) but held the Huskies to 19-of-56 (34 percent).
Nevada held Washington scoreless over the final four and a half minutes until the final seconds and ended on an 11-2 run
“We took bad shots in the first half and we settled down offensively in the second half and took better shots. We just didn’t make them,” Alford said. “Your livelihood’s got to be on the defensive end and this team has a chance to do that.”
Not so Great
Davidson was stellar in shutting down Washington’s Great Osobor. He held Osobor to 0-of-7 shooting from the field, 3-4 from the stripe.
Osobor played for Utah State last season and was an Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention as well as Mountain West Player and Newcomer of the Year.
“”Osobor gets our respect,” Alford said. “Two of his toughest games have been against Nick. He hasn’t had too many games where he hasn’t had a field goal.”
He said Brandon Love and KJ Hymes also played big parts in stopping Osobor.
Osobor had nine rebounds and five turnovers.
Davidson was not starting at the beginning of last season. Alford said he is now one of the top five players in the Mountain West, if not the best player.
He played 38 minutes Saturday.
“Nick is reaping the benefits of somebody who has worked awfully hard,” Alford said. “Each year, he just gets better and better.”
Rolison
Nevada sophomore Tyler Rolison scored nine points off the bench. The Pack’s bench is a work in progress as it contributed 16 points Saturday.
“(Tyler) played really well in Ogden (Utah) last year. We showed him film of last year, his activity, his toughness,” Alford said.
He said last year Rolison would hang his head after a bad play, but he has matured this season, on both ends of the court.
“We’ve just go to keep developing that bench. That’s going to be a big key for us,” Alford said.
Free Throws
Nevada made 17-of-25 from the free throw line, 15-of-21 in the second half, to 8-of-13 for Washington in the game.
“We’re learning how we can play with (Sanders) and Tyler out there,” Alford said. “We’re playing with two point guards at times.”
Series history
Nevada leads the series with Washington, 7-6. The Wolf Pack has won its past six games with the Huskies.
Out
Daniel Foster did not play for Nevada against Washington on Saturday. Foster missed most of practice in October with an ankle injury.
Alford said he is day-to-day and could return soon, but no firm timetable is set.
“He’s a huge key. He’s a veteran player that both offensively and defensively helps us in so many ways,,” Alford said.
Up Next
Weber State plays at Lawlor Events Center at 7 p.m. Wednesday. the Wildcats (1-1) are coming off a 76-48 loss at Oregon State. They beat Northwestern Indian College,- 118-35, to open their season.
Santa Clara is at Lawlor on Saturday (Nov. 16).
