LAS VEGAS - Riding on a four-game winning streak, Nevada women's basketball travels to co-Mountain West standings leader UNLV Saturday at 2 p.m. at Thomas & Mack Center in the first game of the Silver State Series presented by America First Credit Union.
Nevada is coming off its first win over a top 100 team in the NET rankings with a 78-51 victory over Colorado State (81). The Pack defeated the Rams in front of 6,995 fans at Lawlor Events Center, the second-largest crowd in program history.
Tuesday's game will be available to watch on Mountain West Network and available to listen on KPLY 630 AM. Emmy award-winning broadcaster Larry Burnett will be on the radio play-by-play once again for Nevada women's basketball, where fans can also listen online through the Varsity Network.
STRONG START
After being predicted to finish eighth in the conference in the preseason poll, Nevada has lifted itself into third place with a 5-2 start in Mountain West play. Nevada has won five of its first seven Mountain West games for the second time in the last three years and is in the hunt for its first regular season conference title in the NCAA Era. Playing in front of the second-largest crowd in program history of 6,995 fans Jan. 23, the Pack's defense forced Colorado State into 15 turnovers and five assists in a 78-51 win over the Rams. Colorado State, who is second nationally in assist/turnover ratio and was ranked 81 in the NET rankings, is Nevada's first win over a top 100 team in the NET rankings this season.
ROAD WARRIORS
Nevada's top performances in the 2023-24 Mountain West season thus far have come away from Reno. The Pack is currently 3-0 on the road in conference play, already passing its road win total from last season. The defense has been the key, holding its opponents to just 52.7 points per game in those contests. Nevada has also had a turnover margin of 8.3 in those games.
INCREDIBLE IZZY
Freshman Izzy Sullivan was named Mountain West Freshman of the Week by the conference Monday for the third time in her collegiate career. Sullivan was instrumental in Nevada's 2-0 week with wins at Utah State and against Fresno State, averaging 8.5 points per game. The Sammamish, Washington, native dished out a career-high five assists in Nevada's nail-biting win against Fresno State Jan. 20. Sullivan has registered three 20-point games, including two in Mountain West play. She is the first Nevada freshman in the Amanda Levens Era to register multiple 20-point games in her first collegiate season.
RAINING IN RENO
Nevada currently leads the Mountain West in 3-point field goal percentage in conference games. Freshman guard Izzy Sullivan has hit a 3-pointer in 11 consecutive games thus far, being the first Nevada freshman in program history to hit a 3-pointer in 10 consecutive games. She is also the first Nevada player to have at least one 3-pointer in 10 straight games since the 2018-19 season. She is currently one of three freshman players in women's college basketball (Carla Viegas - Florida State and Keelie O'Hollaren - Air Force) to have at least 10 consecutive games with a 3-pointer.
RISING IN THE RANKS
The fast start to Nevada's conference portion of the season has allowed the Pack to rank in the top three in the Mountain West in several categories. Nevada currently leads the Mountain West in 3-point percentage (36.8%) and turnover margin (+4.0) in conference games. The Pack is also second in the conference in scoring defense (59.3) and offensive rebounds (89) in Mountain West play. They are third in scoring offense (68.9), field goal percentage defense (39.6%), 3-point field goal percentage defense (28.8%), assists (104) and steals (58) in Mountain West play.
SCOUTING UNLV
UNLV has once again rose to the top of the Mountain West standings, posting a 6-1 record in conference play to go with a 16-2 overall record. After losing in last-second fashion to New Mexico, UNLV responded with a 21-point win at Boise State.
Desi-Rae Young once again leads UNLV in scoring and rebounding, nearly averaging a double-double of 19.9 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game. Kiara Jackson is also an added scoring threat with 11.6 points per game this 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
