Jan. 5, 2006
Final Stats
RENO, Nev. - Meghan McGuire had a career-high 28 points but it wasn't enough as Nevada fell just short of Hawai`i here Thursday night to open WAC play with a 79-74 loss at Lawlor Events Center.
Janevia Taylor had 20 points for Hawai`i and led a balanced attack with Tanya Smith (16), Amy Sanders (14) and Alofa Toiaivao (14) each scoring in double-figures. Toiavivao had a game-high nine rebounds and Brittany Grice added seven rebounds and seven points for the Wahine to help them improve to 10-3 over-all and 1-0 in the WAC. Nevada dropped to 3-9 over-all and 0-1 in the WAC.
Hawai`i took a 37-28 halftime lead but Nevada did have a 15-12 lead at the 10:52 mark of the first half before storming back late in the game.
Nevada battled back to come within one, 69-68, with 4:03 remaining. The Pack would go up 71-69 at the 2:59 mark on a Traci Graham three-pointer and the game would be tied at 71 with 2:39 left but Nevada couldn't overcome some late turnovers and then was forced to foul Hawai`i in the final minute.
Nevada won the turnover battle, committing 17 to 18 for Hawai`i, but got beat badly on the boards, 41 to 28, by Hawai`i. Both teams shot 48 percent from the field and Hawai`i made five three-pointers to four long-range shots converted by Nevada.
McGuire was 11-21 from the field and two for seven on three-pointers while connecting on all four free throws. She had help from Jessica Preslar who had 12 points and a team-high six rebounds and from Brandi Fitzgerald, who added 10 markers.
Nevada hosts WAC rival San Jose State Saturday at 2 p.m. All Nevada home games are played Lawlor Events Center.
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