ROME, Italy – In a sweltering hot gym the University of Nevada men’s basketball team was even hotter from the field winning both halves of tonight’s game from the Marino B team in Rome, Italy. The Wolf Pack’s scheduled opponent was forced to cancel because of a conflict and the Marino B team agreed to the play the game. It was decided there would be two separate halves of play.
The Pack boarded a bus on Sunday morning in Florence and four hours later arrived in Rome. After some rest and a pregame meal of pasta, chicken and a choice of two deserts it was off the gym. The bus ride did not seem to affect the team as they dominated both halves of the game.
The Pack took the first half 61-25 and the second by almost the identical score 61-26. All eight players that saw action scored with sophomore Richard Bell sitting out the night with a swollen knee that he injured in the second game of the tour in Milan, Italy.
Assistant coach Zac Claus guided the team tonight as each Pack assistant has now had an opportunity to coach a game during the 10-day tour of Italy. Head coach David Carter will coach the final game on Tuesday night before the team heads back to Reno on Wednesday morning.
Five players scored in double figures led by Michael Perez who scored 31 points on the night. Perez was perfect making all 12 shots from the field including seven from behind the arc. He also finished with six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Cole Huff and Jerry Evans, Jr. each posted double-doubles in the game. Huff had 25 points and 12 rebounds while Evans scored 15 points and collected 10 boards. Huff made 10-of-15 shots and all five free throws. Evans connected on seven-of-12 field goals.
Marqueze Coleman made eight of his 11 shots on the night and finished with 21 points. Coleman dished out a team-high seven assists and added a pair of steals. Senior Deonte Burton was good on six-of-seven shots from the floor to total 13 points. Burton also had five assists and three steals.
Tomorrow the Pack will do some sightseeing visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum.
