Nov. 23, 2011
RENO, Nev. -
Nevada Notes 
The University of Nevada women's basketball team (1-2, 0-0 WAC) returns home to host the annual John Ascuaga's Nugget Classic at Lawlor Events Center.
Nevada will open up the tournament Friday against Butler at 2 p.m. It will mark the first time the schools have played each other. The first 500 fans to enter the game will receive a free Nike N7 t-shirt. #16 Penn State and Iowa State will square off in the second game at 4 p.m. Saturday the consolation game will be played at 5 p.m., and the championship game will take place at 7 p.m.
LAST TIME?OUT
The University of Nevada women's basketball team lost a close Subway Classic consolation game to Binghamton 58-52 last Sunday night. Nevada started the first half with a lot of energy, jumping to a quick 5-0 lead over the Bearcats. Senior Kate Kevorken lead the first half attack, shooting 3-4 from the three point line. Nevada was also active on the boards, holding a 21-15 rebounding advantage over Binghamton. The two teams went back and forth in the last four minutes of the half, with Binghamton taking a two point lead over Nevada going into half time.
In the second half the teams remained close. Binghamton was able to stretch their lead to eight points at the nine minute mark due to some untimely turnovers from Nevada. Nevada got back in the game with solid interior defense and continuing to control the rebounding battle. The Pack showed tenacity late in the second half, getting the game within reach down one point with a minute left. The Bearcats were solid from the free-throw line to end the game and put Nevada away.
PACK ON TOP?OF?THE?WAC STATS
Nevada has players leading five WAC individual statistical categories. Forward Kate Kevorken is leading the conference in 3-point percentage with .583 and field goal percentage with .667, Guard Danika Sharp sits in first of the steals category with nine and free throw percentage at a perfect 1.000, and Guard Amanda Johnson leads the assist to turnover ratio at 2.00.
THE YOUNG BUNCH
After losing six seniors, Nevada is a young team in 2011-12. The Wolf Pack's 13-player roster features five newcomers, and just two seniors with more than one year of competition experience. Nevada has five newcomers joining the squad this year, all of whom will be true freshmen. The class adds two guards, two forwards and a center to the roster. Nevada added guards Faith Lois (5-11, Westosha, Wisc.) and Kelsey Kaelin (5-8, Tigard, Ore.) and forwards Emily Burns (6-0, Reno, Nev.) and Aja Johnson (6-1, Danville, Calif.). The final player of the incoming class adds significant size to the team. Standing at 6-7, Mimi Mungedi found her way to Nevada from Africa, hailing from Libreville, Gabon.
TOUGH AT HOME
Nevada has pulled together and impressive run of success in the friendly confines of Lawlor Events Center going 32-16 at home in the last four seasons. In her first season leading the Wolf Pack, Jane Albright coached the team to its first win over a ranked opponent in program history when the Pack stunned then No. 7 Louisville by beating the Cardinals 85-82 at the 2008 John Ascuaga's Nugget Classic. Last year, Nevada went 11-5 at home after going a perfect 7-0 at Lawlor in the non-conference season. Nevada set a new record for home attendance in the WNIT second-round game, with 3,361 fans watching the Pack take on USC.
LEADING THE WAY
Nevada will be led by seniors Amanda Johnson from the point guard spot and forward Kayla Williams, the team's leading shot blocker from last year. Johnson led the WAC throughout last year in both assists per game and assist/turnover ratio while Williams collected eight double-doubles for the season including a career-high 20 rebounds against Pepperdine.
LESS EXPERIENCE, BUT STILL A SENIOR LEADER
Fellow senior Kate Kevorken will also be prepared to take on an important role with the team after starting in place of the injured Shavon Moore at the end of last season. After Moore's injury, Kevorken started four of the final five games of the season. In those five games she shot 40 percent from the field with six three-pointers and averaged 6.8 rebounds and 8.6 points per game. Kevorken was a big piece of Nevada's offense in the Subway Classic consolation game, leading the Pack with 16 points.
