SPRINGFIELD, Mo.- Nevada women's basketball fell short to BYU 72-59 Thursday afternoon in its final non-conference game at Great Southern Bank Arena at Missouri State in the Lady Bear Classic.
Sophomore forward Kennedy Lee, who got her first career start, led Nevada in scoring with a season-high 16 points. Senior forward Lexie Givens collected her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Guards Audrey Roden (four steals) and Victoria Davis (two steals) both obtained their 100th career steals Thursday afternoon, with Roden also coming up with 12 points.
BYU scored the first seven points of the game, but Lee took full advantage in her first career start. Scoring Nevada's first five points of the game, Lee's early offense allowed the Pack to cut BYU's early lead to two points.
BYU regained the lead and went ahead by five in the opening period, but Nevada responded with a 9-0 scoring run capped off by a basket while drawing the foul from Givens. The Pack kept the momentum and remained ahead 16-14 to close the first quarter.
The Cougars, however, used smothering defense to hold Nevada to under 20 percent shooting in the second quarter and took a double-digit lead going into the locker room.
Nevada continued to fight to start the second half, quickly cutting the deficit down to single digits. BYU remained ahead and stretched its lead by going on a 13-0 scoring run, taking a 17-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
Even in the final minutes, Nevada continued to fight. Back-to-back baskets by Roden, with her second one coming during a foul, gave Nevada five quick points following a free throw. Freshman duo Rakiyah Jackson and Izzy Sullivan continued to give Nevada a spark off the bench, with Jackson hitting a jumper following a steal and Sullivan knocking down the final 3-pointer of the game. BYU's lead, however, was too much for the Pack to overcome and the Cougars escaped with the victory.
Nevada comes back from Holiday Break and starts Mountain West play Saturday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. against New Mexico.
Postgame Notes
- Sophomore forward Kennedy Lee made her first career start in Thursday's game, leading Nevada in scoring with 16 points.
- Senior forward Lexie Givens collected her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
- Guards Audrey Roden (four steals) and Victoria Davis (two steals) both obtained their 100th career steals Thursday afternoon.
- Junior guard Kaylee Borden made her first start of the season and made her eighth career start.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Season tickets are now on sale. Season tickets for Nevada women's basketball start at just $65. Season tickets for youth (8th grade and under) start at just $25 while the Family Four Pack (two adults, two youth) are $37.50 per person. Students receive free admission with their Wolf Card. Season Tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office at 775-348-PACK.
Click here to purchase mini plans (any five games starting at just $25) and single game tickets (starting at $5 for youth and $7 for adults).
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