LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Nevada performed in their 2025 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Basketball Championship opener, defeating Fresno State 86-71 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The Wolf Pack showcased their depth, with eight players scoring five or more points, tying the Mountain West Tournament record for the most such players in a game.

Nevada has accomplished this feat for the third time this season, trailing only Utah State with eight. The offensive attack was led by Kobe Sanders with 17 points, followed by Chuck Bailey III, who knocked down three three-pointers for the second time in his career and finished with 12 points. Tyler Rolison added 15 points, while Nick Davidson recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. For Fresno State, Elijah Price had a team-high 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Brian Amuneke contributed 16 points in the losing effort.

First Half

Nevada wasted no time setting the tone, building an early lead behind efficient shooting and relentless effort on the boards. A 12 to 0 run midway through the first half saw the Wolf Pack extend their advantage to double digits with contributions coming from across the roster.

Davidson anchored the paint with his rebounding and interior defense, while Bailey III provided a spark off the bench with three timely three-pointers. Fresno State struggled to keep up despite Price's strong inside presence. By halftime, Nevada led 44 to 32, outscoring the Bulldogs 24 to 10 in the paint and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities.

The Wolf Pack continued to push the pace, using their depth to wear down Fresno State's defense. Rolison and Sanders controlled the backcourt, creating opportunities for teammates while applying pressure on the defensive end. Brandon Love and McBride made their presence felt in the paint, grabbing offensive rebounds and finishing around the rim.

Fresno State attempted to stay in the game with outside shooting, but Nevada's defense remained locked in, forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance opportunities. Heading into the break, the Wolf Pack held a comfortable 12-point lead, setting the stage for a strong second half.

Second Half

The second half saw Nevada maintain their lead through steady offense and defensive stops. Sanders controlled the tempo, orchestrating the offense while adding key buckets to keep Fresno State at bay.

Rolison and Xavier DuSell provided perimeter scoring, while McBride and Love contributed in the post. The Bulldogs made a brief push to cut the deficit to single digits, but Nevada responded with another run, which was highlighted by Sanders' aggressive drives to the basket. The Wolf Pack sealed the game with strong free throw shooting, finishing 16 of 21 from the line.

As the game wore on, Nevada's depth proved to be the difference, with multiple players stepping up to contribute on both ends of the floor. The Wolf Pack's defensive effort stifled Fresno State's offense, forcing contested shots and creating transition opportunities.

Sanders and Rolison dictated the pace, while Davidson and Love controlled the boards to prevent second-chance points. With a balanced scoring attack and consistent execution, Nevada never allowed Fresno State to mount a serious comeback, securing a convincing win in their tournament opener.

Notable Stats

• Nevada won the battle from the bench scoring 30 points to Fresno State's 14 bench points.
• Nevada dominated the battle in the paint scoring 48 paint points to Fresno State' 26 paint points.
• Nevada has eight players with 5+ points in this game, tied for the most such players any team has had in a MW Tournament game (done 11 previous times).
• The 15-point win was Nevada's largest in a MW Tournament game (previous was a 14-point win over Utah State in 2017).

Up Next

Nevada will advance to the quarterfinals and face the number two-seeded Colorado State Rams for its third matchup of the year. 

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