Feb. 9, 2006
Final Stats | Photo Gallery
RENO, Nev. - Junior Demarshay Johnson had a career-best 22 points and junior Nick Fazekas added 24 as Nevada downed New Mexico State 85-63 Thursday night at Lawlor Events Center.
The victory, which was Nevada's fifth straight, improved the Wolf Pack to 18-5 overall and 8-3 in the WAC, while the Aggies dropped to 9-12 overall and 5-5 in conference play. The Wolf Pack is tied for first in the WAC with Louisiana Tech.
After New Mexico State took a 40-38 halftime lead, Nevada stormed back in the second half. The Wolf Pack went on a 13-0 run to go ahead 53-42 with 14:40 to play and never looked back.
Nevada shot 61.8 percent in the second half, making 21-of-34 shots, and ended up shooting 56.9 percent from the field in the game. The team also outrebounded the Aggies 37-21.
New Mexico State cut the lead to seven points, 63-56 with 9:12 left to play, but Nevada answered with a 9-2 run to put the lead back to double digits. The Aggies would not get closer than eight the rest of the way as the Wolf Pack scored 12 of the last 14 points of the game to earn the 85-63 victory.
Johnson finished with a career-high 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting, while Fazekas turned in his 15th 20-point game of the year with a game-best 24. Fazekas led the team with nine rebounds, while Johnson and sophomore Ramon Sessions each added seven boards. Sessions also matched his career best with 11 assists and had only one turnover. Sophomore Marcelus Kemp also turned in a career-high five steals.
For New Mexico State, Tyrone Nelson led the squad with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Nevada returns to action on Monday night, playing host to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (15-9, 8-3 WAC) at 9 p.m. at Lawlor Events Center. The game between the WAC leaders will mark the second ESPN Big Monday appearance of the year for the Wolf Pack.
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