Nevada women’s basketball goes 2–1 in the Nugget Classic

The Nugget Classic presented by the University of Nevada, Reno was held Nov. 26–28. Nevada women’s basketball defeated the University of Idaho and the University of San Francisco, but lost to Drake University. Da’Ja Hamilton and Kylie Jimenez were announced Nugget Classic All-Tournament Team accolades.

The tournament started out with a loss against the Drake Bulldogs. Nevada only had one lead in the beginning of the first quarter. They made a comeback, although it happened too late in the game for Nevada to take the win. The Bulldogs kept their lead for the rest of the game, sometimes being up by 13 points. During the game, it seemed like it was going to be a sweep for Drake, although Nevada made sure that didn’t happen in the fourth quarter.

Megan Ormiston got the first points for Nevada in the fourth quarter, bringing the Bulldogs down to an 11 point lead. From there, Lexie Givens, Alyssa Jimenez, Kylie Jimenez, Amaya West and Audrey Roden all put points on the board to decrease Drake’s lead to only two points. Roden went on a five point shooting spree, but was unable to sink the three pointer in the last seconds of the game to tie it. Drake kept their lead and won 77–75.

On day two, Nevada faced the Idaho Vandals and won in a very close match, ending at 61–60. The Vandals were ahead in the first quarter by a couple of points but the second quarter was back and forth with ties and one-to-two point leads. Nevada gained a five point lead early in the third quarter, but was not able to sustain it. At the end of the quarter, the Vandals were ahead by six, 47–41.

Slowly but surely, Nevada crept up on Idaho with constant shots by Nia Alexander. Only Kenna Holt, Alexander and the Jimenez sisters scored in the last quarter of the game, totaling 20 points. The game sizzled down all to the final four seconds after Idaho’s Louise Forsyth fouled Alexander, giving her two free throw opportunities. One in the basket would tie, and two in would win the game for Nevada. Alexander sank both free throws, and Nevada took the win by one point.

The last day of the tournament ended with a win against USF, 73–67 in overtime. Nevada had the first big lead of six points in the first quarter, but then the score was about even until the third quarter when USF had a seven point lead. Nevada trailed at the end of the third and all throughout the fourth until the very last second when Hamilton shot a three pointer to tie the game 61–61.

The NCAA rules call for a five minute overtime if the score is tied at the end of regulation. In the first two minutes of overtime, Nevada and USF were battling for a lead. Nevada was able to secure a lead of four points at 2:08, and kept a lead for the rest of the overtime. Kylie and Alexander both gained four points for Nevada. The remaining four points of overtime were split by Alyssa and Givens. Nevada brought their energy from the first quarter to overtime and came out with a win.

Two Nevada players were announced on the Nugget Classic All-Tournament Team-Kylie and Hamilton. Kylie had a total of 37 points after the three day tournament, and Hamilton had 35.

Nevada ended the tournament 2–1 and 3–3 in the overall season. The next game will be away against Cal Poly on Dec. 2 at 11 a.m.

Kelsey Middleton can be reached at kelseymiddleton@sagebrush.unr.edu or on Twitter @kelsmiddleunr

Originally published at http://nevadasagebrush.com.