The Nevada women’s basketball team’s 16-game winning streak over Sacramento State was snapped Thursday with the Wolf Pack also failing to make a 3-pointer for the first time in almost four years.
Playing its first road game of the season, Nevada suffered a wire-to-wire 65-45 loss at Hornet Pavilion in a rare weekday matinee.
The Wolf Pack had a rash of turnovers and fell behind early, dropping into a 19-6 hole after the first quarter. Nevada battled back within five at halftime (31-26) after a strong second half before sputtering offensively again after intermission.
Nevada had more turnovers (24) than made field goals (17) and was 0-of-12 from beyond the arc, marking its first game without a made 3-pointer since a 40-39 win over Air Force on Jan. 24, 2022 when the team went 0-of-10 from three.
An even longer streak was snapped as Nevada lost to Sacramento State for the first time since a 64-60 defeat to the Hornets on Dec. 6, 1995. The Wolf Pack had won its last 16 games over Sacramento State.
Freshman guard Skylar Durley had a team-high 17 points for Nevada on 6-of-16 shooting while Ahrray Young chipped in 11 points and six rebounds. The Wolf Pack made 17-of-47 shots (36.2 percent) with just four assists. Nevada’s bench was outscored 23-3.
Sacramento State (2-0) had five players score at least seven points with guard Benthe Versteeg (14 points, five assists, four rebounds) and Natalie Picton (13 points, 3-of-11 from three) both hitting double figures. The Hornets also struggled with turnovers with 19 giveaways, but they hit half their shots (26-of-52) and outscored Nevada by 18 points from behind the arc after shooting 6-of-23 from three.
Nevada held a 34-26 edge on the glass with 12 offensive rebounds leading to 12 second-chance points. But 32 of the Wolf Pack’s 45 points were in the paint with 11 made free throws in 16 attempts, leaving just one made basket outside of the paint.
The Wolf Pack (1-1) returns home where it will host Loyola Marymount next Thursday with another afternoon game. Tip off is set for 10:30 a.m. at Lawlor Events Center.