ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Senior forward Lexie Givens tied a career-high 27 points, including the game-tying buzzer beater layup and go-ahead free throw after getting fouled in the final second, to lift Nevada women's basketball to an 83-82 comeback victory over New Mexico on Saturday at the Pit. 

The win allowed Nevada to move into fifth in the Mountain West standings and gives the opportunity for the Pack to clinch a first round bye in the Mountain West Championships with a win on Tuesday. 

Nevada women's basketball was down by as many as 19 points and picked up its fourth win of the season when trailing at halftime. Saturday was Nevada's first win at The Pit in Albuquerque since March 1, 2014. 

Fifth year guard/forward Kaylen Banwareesingh added a season-high 15 points and eight rebounds for Nevada in her first start since Nov. 12, 2023. Guards Izzy Sullivan and Victoria Davis both added 12 points in the win. 

Behind Paula Reus and Viane' Cumber, New Mexico managed to move ahead by double-digits early in the first quarter. Reus and Cumber combined for 25 of New Mexico's 31 points in the opening period that allowed the Lobos to take a 17-point lead. 

After New Mexico moved ahead by 19 in the second quarter, Nevada turned up the heat and marched its way to a comeback. 

The Pack responded by going on an 11-2 scoring run to chip away at New Mexico's deficit, with Givens capping off another 9-1 Nevada scoring run with a 3-pointer to make it a three-point game. New Mexico finished the second quarter by scoring two consecutive baskets before halftime to make it a 49-41 game going into the locker room. 

New Mexico went up by double-digits once again in the third quarter, but Nevada's offense once again caught fire and the Pack scored nine unanswered points to trim the deficit in half. A 3-pointer by Banwareesingh and a Davis layup allowed Nevada to make it a one-point game, but the Lobos responded with a 3-pointer on their next possession to make it a 66-62 New Mexico lead. Sullivan knocked down two free throws under a minute to play in the period that allowed Nevada to go into the final period only down by two points. 

Davis quickly opened the fourth quarter with the tying layup in the opening minute, with two more free throws by Sullivan giving Nevada its first lead of the game. Following a pair of New Mexico free throws, Sullivan capitalized off a turnover by the Lobos with the go-ahead bucket. Junior guard Audrey Roden came in the clutch one minute later, hitting a 3-pointer to give Nevada a 75-70 lead. 

New Mexico, however, regained the advantage by going on a 7-0 scoring run with under four minutes to play. Givens answered back with a 3-pointer and Sullivan followed that up with a driving layup to give Nevada an 80-77 lead. 

A 3-pointer by the Lobos tied it up and guard Aniyah Augmon knocked in a layup with four seconds left to give New Mexico the two-point lead. Looking for the final strike, Nevada missed a 3-pointer but Givens came up with the offensive rebound and sank the second chance layup while drawing the foul. 

After Givens calmly made the go-ahead free throw, Nevada's defense forced New Mexico's last second shot to miss and sealed the come-from-behind victory. 

Nevada's regular season finale takes place Tuesday at Lawlor Events Center at 6:30 p.m. against San Jose State for Senior Day. 

Postgame Notes 

• Senior forward Lexie Givens tied a career-high 27 points and knocked in the game-tying buzzer beater layup and go-ahead free throw after getting fouled in the final second. 
• Nevada's 83-82 victory at New Mexico was the Pack's first victory at The Pit since March 1, 2014. 
• Nevada's win lifted the Pack into fifth place in the Mountain West standings. A win on Tuesday would clinch a first round bye in the Mountain West Championships for the Pack. 
• Down by 19 points, this is Nevada's largest come-from-behind win of the season. This is Nevada's fourth win of the season when trailing at halftime. 
• Nevada shot 44.8 percent from the field in the second half and finished Saturday's game with 46.8 percent shooting, its best shooting performance since Jan. 20. 
• Fifth year guard/forward Kaylen Banwareesingh scored a season-high 15 points to go with eight rebounds in her first start for Nevada since Nov. 12, 2023. 

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS
Nevada women's basketball will be one of 11 teams competing for the Mountain West's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. First round action for the women's tournament begins March 10 and the championship game takes place on March 13. 

All-session, general admission passes to the women's tournament (10 games) are available starting at just $75 and can be purchased here. Single-session tickets start at just $25 and can be purchased here.

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