RENO, Nev. - Nevada women's basketball's comeback came up short Saturday afternoon at Lawlor Events Center, with New Mexico defeating the Pack 69-59 in the Mountain West opener. 

Freshman guard Izzy Sullivan registered her second 20-point game of the season and led Nevada with a career-high 22 points off the bench. Her 22 points are the most by a Nevada freshman in a Mountain West opener in the Amanda Levens Era. Guards Audrey Roden and Claire Jacobs each scored eight points while senior forward Lexie Givens led Nevada on the glass with eight rebounds, surpassing the 500 career rebounds mark in the process. 

After sophomore forward Kennedy Lee came off the bench to tie the game early in the first quarter, New Mexico scored eight unanswered points to stretch the lead halfway through the period. The Lobos shot 50 percent from the floor in the first quarter while holding Nevada to 20 percent shooting to take a 10-point lead after the period. 

Trading buckets to start the second quarter, a 3-pointer by Givens and a layup from Sullivan allowed Nevada to cut the deficit to seven points with just over three minutes to play in the first half. New Mexico, however, used red-hot shooting and ended the half on a 10-0 scoring run to take a 40-23 lead going into the locker room. 

Even with the large deficit in front of them, Nevada continued to fight. The Pack opened the second half by shooting over 50 percent from the floor in the third quarter, winning the third quarter to trim the deficit heading into the final period. 

Nevada continued its strong second half performance by forcing New Mexico into just 30 percent shooting in the fourth quarter. Despite its struggle to score, New Mexico came up with a basket while drawing the foul with 1:34 left in regulation. 

After Jacobs responded with a quick jumper and Nevada retrieving possession after forcing a New Mexico 10-second violation, Sullivan's fourth 3-pointer of the game cut the Pack's deficit to single digits. Even with a late layup from Sullivan, New Mexico sank three of its final four free throws to take the win in the first Mountain West game of the 2023-24 season. 

Nevada goes on the road for its next Mountain West game, traveling to Boise State Wednesday for a 5:30 tipoff. 

Postgame Notes 

• Freshman guard Izzy Sullivan registered her second 20-point game of the season and led Nevada with a career-high 22 points off the bench. Her 22 points are the most by a Nevada freshman in a Mountain West opener in the Amanda Levens Era.
• Senior forward Lexie Givens led Nevada on the boards with eight rebounds, surpassing the 500 career rebounds mark in the process. 
• Nevada matched a season-low seven turnovers, previously obtaining that mark Nov. 21, 2023 against Oregon. 
• Senior guard Victoria Davis collected her first start of the season. 

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).

FOLLOW THE PACK 
Follow Nevada Women's Basketball on social media at @NevadaWBB (X), @nevadawbb (Instagram), and on Facebook at @NevadaWBB