OREM, Utah – The University of Nevada women’s basketball team opened the 2013-14 regular season with a 79-67 road win over Utah Valley Friday afternoon at the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah.
With the win, Nevada begins the year (1-0 MW), while Utah Valley drops to (0-1 WAC). Wolf Pack head coach Jane Albright is now 6-0 in regular season openers at Nevada.
Center Mimi Mungedi had a strong start down low for Nevada, getting the team out to an 8-1 lead with five points and three blocks early in the game. Utah Valley went on a 7-0 run to pull even at the 14:16 mark. The remaining 14 minutes of play featured eight ties and seven lead changes, as the two teams went into halftime tied 37-37. Mungedi led the Pack with nine points and four blocks on 3-3 shooting in the opening period.
A pair of quick baskets by Mungedi and Julia Shelbourn gave Nevada a 41-37 lead at the start of the second half. Tina Doughty’s made jumper at the top of the key put the Wolverines up 44-43 with 13:23 on the clock. Nyasha LeSure was active in the post, stringing together six points for Nevada to give the team a 49-47 lead with 10:26 to play. Arielle Wideman’s runner in the lane matched the team’s biggest lead of seven at 54-47. Five consecutive points by Nevada senior guard Danika Sharp and a lay-up by Wideman sparked a 7-0 run to increase the lead to 61-49. Katie Kuklok got Utah Valley back within single digits with a made three pointer at the 3:23 mark. The Wolf Pack closed out the game 9-9 from the free throw line on its way to a 79-69 win.
Mungedi led Nevada with 15 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. Arielle Wideman had 12 points, while Nyasha LeSure just missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Wolf Pack will return to Reno next week for its home opener on Friday against Long Beach State 6:30 p.m. at Lawlor Events Center.
