Nevada Notes 
Dec. 31, 2011
RENO, Nev. -
The University of Nevada women's basketball team (3-10, 0-0 WAC) will begin the new year at home against in-state rival UNLV (10-4, 0-0 MW) Monday at 6 p.m.
The Lady Rebels lead the overall series 23-6. UNLV won the last contest in Las Vegas during the 2010-2011 season with a score of 67-54. The Lady Rebels have won the last three meetings. Nevada's last win in the series took place during the 2007-2008 season, where the Pack defeated UNLV 84-63 in Reno. UNLV currently sits at 10-4 on the year, having lost their last game at Arizona 62-58. They are led by junior guard Kelli Thompson who is averaging 12.9 ppg.
LAST TIME?OUT
The University of Nevada women's basketball team dropped a close Peppermill Holiday Classic consolation game to Mississippi State 67-63 Friday evening.
Nevada looked impressive in the opening half, beginning the game with a new look as freshman Aja Johnson received her first career start. The Pack got out to a 19-11 lead at the seven minute mark before the Lady Bulldogs went on an 8-0 run to tie the game. Nevada buckled down on defense and forced Mississippi State in to some difficult shots as the Lady Bulldogs finished the half shooting 23 percent from the field. Kate Kevorken had the hot hand for Nevada finishing the half with eight points, leading the Pack to a 35-24 lead at halftime.
The Pack continued its strong play out of the break, climbing to its biggest lead of the game at 16 after the first four minutes of the second half. Freshman Emily Burns provided a spark off the bench, recording a career best 11 points with six rebounds. The Lady Bulldogs used the early exit of Kayla Williams who received her fifth personal foul at the 13 minute mark to get back in the game. The Lady Bulldogs found success from the three point line to take a 64-63 advantage with two minutes left. Nevada had a few missed attempts to pull ahead before Mississippi State closed out the game for the win.
Kate Kevorken led Nevada with a career high 27 points and seven rebounds.
PEPPERMILL HOLIDAY CLASSIC HONORS KEVORKEN
Senior Kate Kevorken had solid performances in both Nevada's Peppermill Holiday Classic games.
Kevorken was named to the All-Tournament Team after finishing with 20 points and six rebounds against Long Island and a career high 27 points and seven rebounds against Mississippi State. This marked the second All-Tournament selection this season for Kevorken as she was named to the John Ascuaga's All-Tournament team earlier this year.
FRESHMEN MAKING?THEIR?MARK
As a young team, Nevada is leaning on production from its newcomers. Aja Johnson received her first career start in the Peppermill Holiday Classic consolation game against Mississippi St., logging 28 minutes and finishing with a career high five points, five rebounds and four blocks. Emily Burns also had a breakout game against the Lady Bulldogs, recording a career high 11 points with six rebounds in 24 minutes of action.
CLOSE?GAMES?FOR?THE?PACK?
Although Nevada is 3-10 on the year, eight of the games have been decided by 10 points or less. The Pack is 2-6 in those games, defeating Oregon 76-74 (2) and Butler 71-69 (2) in the Nugget Classic. Nevada is 2-4 in games decided by 5 points or less, losing to Mississippi State in the Peppermill Holiday Classic consolation game 67-63 (4).
SPEAKING?OF?CLOSE?GAMES
Nevada has battled teams late in games this season. Twice this year the game has gone into overtime. Nevada is 0-2 in its overtime games this year, falling to Pacific 75-70 and Long Beach State 61-58. As a program Nevada has played in 25 overtime games, going 8-17 (.32). Nevada's last overtime win occurred in the WAC tournament on March 12, 2009 against LA Tech 91-88. The most overtime games the Pack has had in a season is two (1997-1998)
PACK ON TOP?OF?THE?WAC STATS
Forward Kayla Williams leads the WAC individual statistical category for blocks with 22.
SHARP FROM?THE?LINE
Sophomore guard Danika Sharp has been impressive at the free throw line, converting on 31-37 of her attempts this season. Her sharp shooting from the stripe puts her in third place in the WAC free throw percentage category at .838. Sharp made 24 straight free throws dating back to Nevada's WNIT second round loss to USC on March 20, 2011.
BLOCK?PARTY?FOR?THE?PACK
Nevada's 54 rejections on the year puts them in first place in that team WAC category. The Pack is averaging 4.15 blocks per game as a team. In the Oregon win Kayla Williams recorded six blocks in the game which is third best in the program's history.
REBOUNDING EXPERTISE
Dating back to the beginning of the 2008-09 season, Nevada has out-rebounded or tied its opponents in rebounding in 59 games. This year, the Pack has out-rebounded 8 of its 13 opponents by a total margin of 1.8 boards per game. The Pack sits in first in the WAC in defensive rebounds, offensive rebounding percentage, rebounding offense, rebounding margin, and second in offensive rebounds.
