The Nevada Sagebrush

Nevada guard Ray Kraemer hit three three pointers in Nevada's 87-71 win over Idaho Thursday. Photo by Brian Bolton/The Nevada Sagebrush

Eleven minutes passed in Nevada’s game against Idaho Thursday night and the Wolf Pack already sank seven three-point shots — Nevada knew it was going to be a good shooting night.

The Wolf Pack shot 60.7 percent in the first half (17-of-28) to jump out to a big 47-34 lead at the break and ended up beating the Vandals 87-71 in the teams’ first round game of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament at Lawlor Events Center.

Nevada’s top avenue of hot shooting was from beyond the arc, where it ended up 10-of-18 from. In the first half, guards Brandon Fields, Ray Kraemer and forward Joey Shaw each hit back-to-back threes to put Nevada ahead.

“We’re a good shooting team and when we’re shooting well, we’re very tough to beat,” said Wolf Pack forward Luke Babbitt who was 2-of-3 from downtown.

Nevada cooled down in the second half, shooting 50 percent (14-of-28) and ended up shooting 55.4 percent from the field. Babbitt led Nevada with 21 points. He was just one of five Wolf Pack players to score double digits.

All five Wolf Pack starters scored double figures, as they combined for 75 points on 27-of-45 shooting (60 percent). Nevada also managed 17 assists on 31 made buckets.

“Today, we played together as a team,” said Wolf Pack guard Brandon Fields, who had 15 points and six rebounds. “All of our starting five had double digits — we keep playing like this in the tournament and we’ll get what we want.”

Babbitt said he thinks the team is playing some of its best basketball right now.

“I think we’re peaking and this is the time you want to peak,” he said.

Nevada head coach David Carter agreed that his team was playing well, but he said his players are still capable of putting together a better game.

“The best is yet to come,” he said.

For Idaho, the loss marked the end of its season. The Vandals never recovered from Nevada’s hot shooting start and were unable to hang with the Wolf Pack on offense, shooting just 39.4 percent in the first half (13-of-33).

“Shots just weren’t falling, but you got to keep shooting and trying to help your teammates,” said Idaho guard Mac Hopson, who shot just 4-of-16.

Nevada will now move onto the second round of the WAC Tournament, where it will play the winner of the game between No. 3 New Mexico State and No. 6 San Jose State which is going on right now at Lawlor Events Center. The Wolf Pack swept both team during the regular season.

Juan López can be reached at jlopez@nevadasagebrush.com.

KEY STATS:

Nevada:

F Luke Babbitt: 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists, 8-of-15 shooting

G Brandon Fields: 15 points, six rebounds, four assists

F Dario Hunt: 12 points, seven rebounds, two blocks

Idaho:

F Luciano de Souza: 20 points, 4-of-7 3-pt FG

G Mac Hopson: 15 points, six assists, five rebounds

F Marvin Jefferson: 14 points, 10 rebounds

Keys to the game:

–Nevada made seven three-point buckets in the game’s first 11 minutes and ended up shooting 10-of-18 from downtown.

–All five Wolf Pack starters scored in double figures.

–Nevada shot 55.4 percent to just 39.7 for Idaho.

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