Nevada will go into Mountain West Conference play in a four-game winning streak, but the fourth of those wins was not easy.

The Wolf Pack ended its non-conference slate with 78-75 win over Duquesne on Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 7,238 fans at Lawlor Events Center.

In the final 90 seconds, Wolf Pack freshman Peyton White got a huge rebound, then hit two free throws to help the Pack go up by three

The Dukes got their first lead of the second half with 1 minute, 38 seconds left, 71-70.

Tayshawn Comer led the Pack with 16 points, White had 12 and Elijah Price had 10 points and nine rebounds as the Pack improved to 8-3.

Nevada’s Joel Armotrading and Corey Camper Jr. did not play as they are still dealing with injuries.

“We battled hard. It wasn’t our best game but we came through and got it done,” White said.

Tre Guinyard led the Dukes (6-5) with 21 points.

Nevada (8-3) opens conference play against Boise State on Saturday.

Top Takeaways

The Dukes tried to win it from the arc, going 11-33 from there, after knocking down their first two of the game.

The Pack shot 4-of-10 from the arc, and 25-of-56 from the field.

The Pack won it at the free throw line, making 24-of-32 from the line, while the Dukes hit 18-of-20 free throws.

The Pack entered the game leading the Mountain West in made free throws (20.1) and second in free throw attempts (27.1).

Duquesne held a 38-35 edge in rebounding.

Bench comes up big

The Wolf Pack got 37 points from its bench, to 20 for the Dukes, and Alford said that was a key to the win.

“There’s very few games I’ve had where your starters are all negative in points per minute and your bench is all positive,” he said. “It’s good that the starters get to see that. It’s good in learning to trust one another when you’re not playing well.”

He said the bench saved the game for the Pack, but that is a sign of the depth the team has.

Phenomenal Freshmen

Pack freshmen White and Myles Walker played substantial minutes, 23 for White and 13 for Walker. Walker scored five points, including two key free throws in the final minute.

“Myles and Peyton continue to make veteran plays,” Alford said. “That was a hotly contested game, down to the wire and you’ve got two freshmen going to the line in the last two trips and they go 4-for-4 at the line That’s big time.”

He said the pair has been consistent and they keep improving every game.

“Myles has given us a lift every time he comes in,” Alford said. “Those two give us energy.”

Walker said the Pack showed it can win even when things go wrong.

“It showed how tough this team is. Even at the end when things didn’t go right, we still found a way to win,” Walker said.

Half

Nevada led 42-35 at the break, after leading by as many as 15 earlier in the half.

The Wolf Pack shot 17-of-33 field goals and 2-of-6 from the arc along with 6-10 free throws in the first half

The Dukes shot 10-of-28 from the field; 7-18 from the arc and 8-of-10 free throws.

The Pack outscored the Dukes, 20-6, in the paint in the first half.

Up Next

Nevada opens Mountain West Conference play by hosting Boise State (7-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 20).

The Broncos play Saint Mary’s on Sunday (Dec 14).

Finals are over on Wednesday for the Pack players. Alford said they will take that day off from practice.

“That’s going to be a war on Saturday,” Alford said. “(Duquesne) is an A10 team (Atlantic 10 Conference). We’ve played some really good competition, so I’m very pleased with where we’re at 11 games in.”

Nevada’s Upcoming Schedule

• Saturday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. vs. Boise State (TV: KNSN, Ch, 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)
• Tuesday, Dec. 30 at Colorado State (TV: MW Network, Ch, 21/Radio: 95.5 FM)
• Saturday, Jan. 3 at Fresno State
• Tuesday, Jan. 6 vs. San Diego State
• Saturday, Jan. 10 vs. Wyoming
• Tuesday, Jan. 13 at Utah State
• Saturday, Jan. 17 at Air Force
• Tuesday, Jan. 20 vs. San Jose State
• Saturday, Jan. 24 at New Mexico
• Tuesday, Jan. 27 vs. Grand Canyon
• Friday, Jan. 30 vs. UNLV
• Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Boise State
• Saturday, Feb. 7 vs. Fresno State
• Saturday, Feb. 14 at San Diego State
• Tuesday, Feb. 17 at San Jose State
• Saturday, Feb. 21 vs. Utah State
• Tuesday, Feb. 24 vs. New Mexico
• Saturday, Feb. 28 at UNLV
• Tuesday, Mar. 3 at Wyoming
• Saturday, Mar. 7 vs. Air Force