The Nevada Sagebrush

Nevada guard Nicole Williams against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in a game earlier this year. Williams scored 15 points against Washington State on Tuesday night. Photo by Casey Durkin

Although Tahnee Robinson’s playing career at Nevada started just five days ago (Dec. 18), the junior transfer has not waited long to make her mark.

Robinson poured in 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and led the Nevada Wolf Pack women’s basketball team to a  75-54 win over Washington State on Tuesday night.

After falling behind by six points, 24-18, the Wolf Pack (6-5) put together a 16-5 run to end the first half and never looked back. Nevada put together another large run, 15-5, halfway through the second half, to extend its lead to 15 points over Washington State (5-6).

“My team has a lot of confidence in me to shoot the shots that I take,” said Robinson, who shot 9-of-11 from the free throw stripe. “It’s really nice and comforting to have my team behind me and expecting me to shoot those shots. They just make me feel comfortable out on the court.”

Robinson was aided by Nevada guard Nicole Williams, who was relegated to the bench in favor of Robinson, who got the start.

Williams recorded her first double-double with career-0highs in points, rebounds, and assists, scoring 15 points and adding ten rebounds and five assists in 18 minutes of play.

“When I come in I want to make things happen,” Williams said. “I want to help my team every second, and that’s my goal.”

Wolf Pack head coach Jane Albright was ecstatic with the way Williams played off of the bench.

“Nicole was unbelievable,” Albright said. “She played with a lot of control and a lot of passion.”

Nevada forward Kayla Williams also had her first ever double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The Wolf Pack will now go on the road to compete in the University of San Diego’s Surf-n-Slam Tournament, where it will play the University of San Diego (6-6) Monday night.

Damian Tromerhauser can be reached at sports@nevadasagebrush.com.

QUICKIE STATS:

Nevada:

G Tahnee Robinson: 21 points (9-for-11 free throw shooting)

G Nicole Williams: 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists (7-for-9 FG)

F Kayla Williams: 10 points, 12 rebounds

Washington State:

G April Cook: 17 points, six rebounds

F Rosie Tarnowski: 10 points, five rebounds

G KiKi Moore: 10 points, five rebounds

KEYS TO THE GAME:

– After Washington State took its largest lead by six points, 24-18, the Wolf Pack went on a 16-5 run to take a 34-29 halftime lead and never trailed in the game again.

– Washington State took 75 shots compared to Nevada’s 55, but only shot 32 percent for the game (24-for-75), while the Wolf Pack shot 50.9 percent (28-for-55).

– Nevada outrebounded Washington State 54-37.

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