The Nevada Sagebrush

Nevada forward scored 23 second-half points against Virginia Commonwealth University in his team's 85-76 loss to the Rams on Friday night. Photo by Casey Durkin/The Nevada Sagebrush

Nevada’s men’s basketball team fell to Virginia Commonwealth University 85-76 Friday night, despite a season-high 27 points from Wolf Pack forward Luke Babbitt.

VCU led 35-28 at halftime after holding Babbitt to three points in the first half.  VCU started the second half on a 10-2 run and led by as many as 20 points midway through the second half thanks to strong performance from forward Larry Sanders who finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.

The Wolf Pack (2-2) staged a rally, pulling to within eight and holding VCU (4-1) without a field goal for 5:11. But, VCU responded and Nevada could not get closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Forward Joey Shaw continued his strong play recording 14 points and seven rebounds while Brandon Fields added 13 points and nine rebounds.

Nevada next plays at North Carolina on Sunday. The two teams met last season, where the Tar Heels defeated Nevada 84-61.

The sports staff can be reached at sports@nevadasagebrush.com.

STATS:

VCU:

Larry Sanders: 17 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks

Bradford Burgess: 12 points, five rebounds

Ed Nixon: 17 points

Nevada:

Luke Babbitt: 27 points, 11 rebounds, 12-of-25 FG

Joey Shaw: 14 points, seven rebounds

Brandon Fields: 13 points, nine rebounds

Armon Johnson: Eight points, four rebounds, five assists, 3-of-18 FG

Dario Hunt: 10 points, 13 rebounds

KEY TO THE GAME: The VCU bench outscored Nevada’s bench 31-4.

Related Posts:

• Pack earns bid to NIT, will play Wichita State from Missouri Valley Conf.
• Aggies hand Pack ‘terrible’ loss, end Nevada’s run in tourney
• Five starters score double figures, Pack cruises past Idaho into second round
• Pack sends seniors out with win, clinches 2 seed for tourney
• Fields’ career night leads Pack over second-place Aggies