Women’s basketball: Big run boosts Pack to easy win over SJSU

Sunday, February 7, 2010 - 2:58 PM

Coming off of a disappointing loss to Idaho, the Nevada women’s basketball team returned home in search of renewed confidence.

“That game the other night took a lot of confidence out of us,” Nevada head coach Jane Albright said. “It shouldn’t, but it did. We missed a lot of shots in the first half that didn’t really look like us.”

The Wolf Pack looked like its old self again Saturday afternoon, though, as it impressively defeated the San Jose State Spartans 72-48 at Lawlor Events Center.

“We probably needed this more than we needed just a blow out,” Albright said. “We needed somebody to have to execute against.”

Nevada (13-10 overall, 7-2 Western Athletic Conference) started the game off quickly, jumping out to a 9-2 lead. San Jose State (5-17 overall, 1-8 WAC) hung around, though, battling back to keep the game close throughout the remainder of the first half and trailing the Wolf Pack 28-26 at halftime.

The second half started off similar to the first half as both teams traded buckets back and forth to a 40-40 tie with 13:50 left in the game, at which point the Wolf Pack took over, going on a 32-8 run to end the game.

“In that spurt I think we outrebounded them and were able to run and we made extra passes,” Albright said. “When we get our legs underneath us and don’t turn the ball over, we can play some pretty good basketball.”

One thing that keyed the run by Nevada in the second half was its two turnovers, something that Albright was very happy with.

“I think we should call off classes on Monday or something,” Albright said in regards to her team’s two second-half turnovers.

Another key to the run and the overall dominance of the Wolf Pack in the second half was its defense.

“Defense is the best offense,” Wolf Pack forward Kayla Williams said. “So once we started playing really good defense it was easy for us to get things offensively, especially once they got tired. Once they got frustrated and tired with that, it just got easier and easier for us.”

During its 32-8 outburst, Nevada held the Spartans scoreless for more than eight minutes.

“That’s our defense,” Nevada forward Shavon Moore said. “That’s the point of every defensive possession, is to get a stop and not let the other team score.”

The impressive win came in front of 1,572 in attendance — the team’s largest home crowd this season — which gave the team a lot of energy Albright said.

Moore led Nevada with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Williams had a double-double as well, with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Wolf Pack guard Tahnee Robinson chipped in 13 points.

Nevada travels to play Boise State Wednesday night and will return home Saturday to play Utah State on Saturday.

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

Quickie Stats

Nevada:

F Shavon Moore: 15 points, 10 rebounds.

F Kayla Williams: 13 points, 10 rebounds.

G Tahnee Robinson: 13 points.

San Jose State:

G Chasity Shavers: 15 points.

F Shaunna Ridge: 10 Rebounds.

Keys to the game:

Nevada went on a 32-8 run during the last 13 minutes of the game, in which it held the Spartans scoreless for more than eight minutes.

The Wolf Pack had just two turnovers in the second half.

Nevada allowed just one San Jose State player to score double-digit points, with the Spartans shooting 26.6 percent from the field.