Box Score RENO, Nev. - In its second-to-last home game of the season, Nevada Women's Basketball defeated San José State, 49-41. 

Forced turnovers and strong defense made the biggest difference. Nevada (9-19, 5-13 MW) forced San José State (4-25, 2-16 MW) to turn the ball over 21 times and recorded 10 steals. 

Rebounds were even as each team pulled in 46. Both teams also struggled with shooting as the Pack shot 25.8 percent from the floor and the Spartans shot 27.3. 

Britain Backus came off the bench to go 3-for-5 from three and 8-for-8 from the line to lead all players in scoring with 17 points. She also had five rebounds and four steals. Tahj-Monet Bloom led in boards with six.

The Pack jumped out in front early with a 5-0 run to start the first. Nevada fell into a scoring drought of three minutes while San José State got its first lead after a 5-0 run of its own.

Nevada gained control once again off of a few clutch takeaways by Backus that jump-started a 6-0 run in the span off 33 seconds. The Pack went on to outscore the Spartans, 14-10.

Shots weren't falling for either team through nearly the entire second quarter, with both the Pack and Spartans only getting one field goal to fall through eight minutes.

Both teams only scored one more field goal in the second, with Nevada still in front going into the break.

Shooting struggles continued into the third for the Pack as the Spartans opened up the second half with an 8-0 run. Skylar Durley finally got one to fall for Nevada four minutes in, which was followed up by a quick steal and score by Maia Rosarion. 

Halfway through, Nevada went on an 8-0 to regain control.

The Pack saw its largest lead of eight come in the final 10. Both teams fell into long scoring droughts late before Nevada gained its rhythm and went on a 9-4 run to close it out. 

Nevada will remain at home to host New Mexico on Saturday at 1 p.m.