RENO, Nev. – The Nevada women's basketball team will host the annual Nugget Classic this weekend, featuring Chicago State, Stephen F. Austin and UC Santa Barbara.

The Wolf Pack and Cougars of Chicago State will kick off the tournament at 2 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 29 at Lawlor Events Center. The Ladyjacks of Stephen F. Austin and Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara will follow at 4:30 p.m. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, Dec. 1 with an 11 a.m. game between Chicago State and either SFA or UCSB, followed by Nevada taking on either SFA or UCSB, dependent on the outcome of the Friday contests.

Nevada will celebrate Native American heritage at this weekend's Nugget Classic, wearing a special uniform set for both games, with the design inspired by the local tribes of Northern Nevada. Those with a Tribal ID, flyer, or Nugget Casino in Sparks employee ID can receive free entry to this weekend's games for up to four people.

With a 3-1 record, the Wolf Pack is off to its best start since 2010-11 and will take on the 0-6 Chicago State Cougars on Friday. Nevada suffered its first loss of the season last weekend, falling 80-75 on the road at the defending Big Sky champions, Portland State. The Pack nearly overcame an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter, cutting it two in the final minute of play. Nevada had four score in double figures, led by a game and career-high 19 points from senior Marguerite Effa.
 
ON THE AIR
Doug Greenwald will have the call in Northern Nevada on CBS Sports Radio 94.1 FM and 1450 AM with a 20 minute pregame show prior to tipoff. Fans can also tune in to listen to Greenwald's broadcast online at TuneIn.com or via the TuneIn app.
 
The game will also be live streamed on the Mountain West Network.

2019 NUGGET CLASSIC
The University of Nevada women's basketball team readies to host the annual Nugget Classic Thanksgiving tournament and welcomes in Chicago State, UC Santa Barbara and Stephen F. Austin to Lawlor Events Center. The Wolf Pack opens the tournament against Chicago State on Friday and will play either the Gauchos or Ladyjacks on Sunday.

Friday, Nov. 29 - 2 p.m. - Chicago State vs. Nevada
Friday, Nov. 29 - 4:30 p.m. - Stephen F. Austin vs. UC Santa Barbara
Sunday, Dec. 1 - 11 a.m. - Chicago State vs. UCSB/Stephen F. Austin
Sunday, Dec. 1 - 2 p.m. - UCSB/Stephen F. Austin vs. Nevada

SERIES HISTORY
It's a very brief series history between the Wolf Pack and Cougars of Chicago State at just one game. The only time these two programs squared off in women's basketball was in November of 1998 when Nevada walked away with a 74-50 victory in Reno. There are some connections though between the Pack and Cougars as Nevada spent several seasons as a member of the Western Athletic Conference, which is the current home of Chicago State.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT IMANI
Sophomore Imani Lacy has quietly been one of the most consistent Wolf Pack players through four games this season. Lacy is the only Nevada player to score in double figures in all four games, posting 13 points in the season opener, 14 in the win over Sacramento State, 10 at Utah Valley and a season-high 15 at Portland State. Lacy currently ranks second on the team in field goal percentage, hitting 50.0 percent from the field. She had one of her best games at the free throw line vs. Sacramento State as well, knocking down 6-of-8, and grabbed a season-high seven rebounds, one shy of tying her career high.

UP NEXT: NUGGET CLASSIC/MW OPENER
Nevada will conclude the 2019 Nugget Classic this Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. against either Stephen F. Austin or UC Santa Barbara depending on the outcome of the game on Friday between those two programs. The Wolf Pack will then open Mountain West play a little earlier than usual with a home contest against Air Force next Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. That game will be played at the Virginia Street Gym with free admission.