Coming off a road loss to Utah State, the Nevada men’s basketball team recorded another conference loss against San Diego State on Saturday, Jan. 25 at home. The Pack’s offense struggled to find the net, shooting 29 percent (15-51) from the field and 19 percent (5-26) from three, their lowest shooting percentage since the 2015 season.
In the first half, the Pack’s offensive and defensive came out firing to snag an early 13-6 lead. However, this momentum was short-lived, as the Wolf Pack allowed the Aztecs to carry a 13-0 run. A dunk made by guard Kobe Sanders started some offensive momentum, trailing 28-21 at the break.
Guard Xavier DuSell scored the most points of the half for Nevada with eight while shooting 100 percent from the field and three (3-3 and 2-2). Forward Nick Davidson and Sanders trailed contributing four points each.
Aztecs’ guard Miles Byrd opened the scoring in the second half with a three-point shot, which Sanders responded to by hitting a pair of free throws.. After those shots, the Pack experienced a scoring drought, shooting 0-8 until guard Chuck Bailey found the net for two.
The Pack’s defense struggled to slow the Aztecs’ attack on offense, namely their starting forward Magoon Gwath, who scored 15 points and shot 100 percent from both the field and beyond the arc.
Forward Justin McBride gathered the most points for the Pack with 13, Sanders trailed with 12 while the rest of the starting five were stuck in the single digits.
Coach Steve Alford addressed the impact the Aztecs’ scoring runs had on the team.
“We need to be tough enough,” Alford said. “If they score twice in a row, they don’t score three times in a row, let alone 13 points.”
Alford also commented on how he hopes to see the team pick up the pace offensively.
”We got to really work hard this week,” Alford said. “Now we got another really demanding week, but an opportunistic week, and we got to make the most of that.”
The Pack will take to the road traveling to Boise State for their next game on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.
Maddie Gomes can be reached via email dominicgutierrez@unr.edu or via X @d_m_g_16
