Nevada (9-5, 4-3 MW) vs. Fresno State (5-4, 3-4 MW)
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 - 1 p.m.
Reno, Nev. - Lawlor Events Center
TV: CBS Sports Network (PxP: John Sadak, Analyst: Chris Walker)
Radio: ESPN Radio 94.5 FM (PxP: John Ramey, Analyst: Len Stevens)
Game Notes | Watch | Listen | Live Stats

RENO, Nev. - Nevada (9-5, 4-3 MW) goes for its second series sweep of the Mountain West season Sunday, hosting Fresno State (5-4, 3-4 MW) in the finale at 1 p.m.

The contest will air nationally on CBS Sports Network, with John Sadak and Chris Walker calling the action. Sunday's game will also be broadcast in Reno on ESPN Radio 94.5 FM with John Ramey and Len Stevens on the call.

UP NEXT
Nevada makes its third road trip since the post-holiday restart next week, heading to Laramie for its series at Wyoming.

The Pack will face the Cowboys Friday, Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. PT, with the finale set for a 1 p.m. PT tip Sunday, Jan. 24.

PACK SHOOTS PAST BULLDOGS IN OPENER
Nevada used strong shooting and a stout defense in the second half to pull away from Fresno State and capture Friday's series opener, 73-57.

The Pack held the 'Dogs to just nine field goals and 34.6-percent shooting over the final 20 minutes, and, at the other end, hit five 3-pointers and went 13-for-27 to build a five-point halftime lead to as high as an 18-point lead.

For the game, Nevada shot 51.9 percent (28-for-54) and hit 10 3-pointers, led by four from Grant Sherfield and three from Desmond Cambridge, Jr. Sherfield led all players with 23 points, his fifth-straight 20-point game, while Cambridge, Jr., and redshirt sophomore forward Warren Washington each had 13.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Fresno State (5-4, 3-4 MW) had its three-game winning streak snapped with Friday night's loss. The Bulldogs are led by a pair of sophomores in Orlando Robinson (17.8 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 50.9 FG pct.) and Deon Stroud (13.1 ppg, 49.4 FG pct.).

IT'S RAINING 3s
Nevada had one of its best shooting performances of the season in Friday's win over Fresno State, hitting 10 3-pointers and hitting at a 51.9-percent clip (28-for-54) from the field.

The 10 triples marked the fourth time this season in which the Pack reached double digits, and second time in Mountain West play.

Friday, the Pack was led by four triples from Grant Sherfield, and three from Desmond Cambridge, Jr., the latter putting his Mountain West season tally at 21 makes, second-best in the conference.

LOCKING DOWN
Head coach Steve Alford knew that with a younger squad this season (Nevada has just one senior on its roster, and no scholarship seniors), defense would be even more of a priority.

Through its first seven games of conference play, Nevada ranks third in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 63.4 points a game. Even more impressive is that the Pack, despite a 4-3 record, ranks only behind the conference's two unbeaten teams in Utah State (50.1 points allowed per game) and Boise State (62.9).

Friday, Nevada held Fresno State to just 57 points, marking the third time in seven conference games that an opponent has failed to crack 60. In fact, in only one of seven Mountain West games this season has a Pack opponent hit 70 (Jan. 2's 84-74 win over New Mexico).

CREATING SEPARATION
It's never too early to talk about seeding for the Mountain West Tournament, set for March 10-13 in Las Vegas.

Sunday's series finale with Fresno State, along with next weekend's trip to Wyoming, offer the Pack key chances to separate itself from the mid-tier of the Mountain West and solidly into the top four. A win, and series sweep, Sunday over the Bulldogs would put the Pack firmly in the top five of the standings at 5-3, a position which would get Nevada a first-round bye in Vegas.