The University of Nevada women’s basketball team (2-1, 0-0 MW) will open up its annual John Ascuaga’s Nugget Classic against Cleveland State (1-2, 0-0 Horizon League) Friday 2 p.m. at Lawlor Events Center. The game will mark the first meeting between the two programs. The Vikings are on the back end of a four-game road trip, losing its last two games at Ohio and Illinois. Cleveland State is led by senior forward Shalonda Winton who is averaging 23 ppg. and 12 rpg. on the year. The first 200 fans through the door will receive a free Nike N7 t-shirt, as part of the Wolf Pack’s partnership with Nike’s N7 division that benefits Native American and Aboriginal communities in the USA and Canada. A special pregame performance will take place as part of the N7 festivities.
Santa Clara and Toledo will face each other in the second game of the Nugget Classic at 4:30 p.m. The championship and consolation games will be played on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
The University of Nevada women’s basketball team picked up its first road victory of the season, defeating UC Irvine 72-49 last Saturday afternoon at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif. The Wolf Pack looked sharp out of the gate, racing to a 9-2 lead with 14:30 on the clock. Nevada was strong on the offensive glass in the opening period. The team totaled 14 points on second chance opportunities and held a 31-20 rebounding advantage in the first half. The Wolf Pack took a 40-26 lead into the break, led by 10 points by senior Chanelle Brennan. Nevada finished the game with a dominating 58-35 advantage on the boards, on its way to a 72-49 wire to wire win. Brennan led all scorers with 16 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Aja Johnson and junior Danika Sharp rounded out the team’s double digit scorers with 12 and 11 points.
John Ascuaga’s Nugget Classic Tournament Link: http://www.nevadawolfpack.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/unv-nugget-classic.html