LUBBOCK, Texas - Nevada overcame a sluggish start Thursday night, using a late first-half run to build a double-digit lead and never look back in a 68-54 victory over New Mexico at Lubbock Christian University's Rip Griffin Center.
The Pack (7-3, 2-1 MW) was led by
Desmond Cambridge, Jr., and
Grant Sherfield, as the guards each scored 20 points for the second time this season. Cambridge, Jr., scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the second half, and Sherfield finished with 20.
Warren Washington also hit double digits, finishing with 10 points to go with six rebounds, while Tré Coleman celebrated his birthday by going a perfect 8-for-8 from the line for his eight points on the night.
The Pack grabbed 42 rebounds, paced by 10 from
Zane Meeks.
Nevada used a 23-8 run over the final eight minutes, 22 seconds of the first half to turn a five-point deficit into a 10-point advantage at 32-22 over New Mexico (3-3, 0-3 MW).
Keith McGee's triple put Nevada in a 14-9 hole with just over 10 minutes left in the half before the Pack offense got going. Cambridge, Jr., scored four-straight for the Pack before Coleman's free throws put Nevada in front for the first time, 15-14, with 6:53 on the clock.
A thunderous dunk from Washington made it 21-16 and forced a New Mexico timeout. The dunk energized the Pack, beginning a half-ending stretch in which it made six of its last nine attempts from the field.
Meeks' three-point play pushed the Nevada lead to six at 24-18, and Sherfield scored six points over a nearly three-minute span to up the cushion to 30-22.
Nevada held New Mexico to just two field goals over its final 15 attempts of the half, including no field goals over the final 3:35.
Saquon Singleton's bucket to open the second half got the Lobos to within eight, but that was as close as it would be the rest of the way. Nevada, leading 45-35 with 12 minutes to play, went on an 11-1 run over the next two minutes, with the run featuring a four-point play from Cambridge, Jr., to take control at 56-36.
The teams will close the series Saturday at 7 p.m. PT, with the finale broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network.
