No win after major comeback: Nevada women’s basketball unable to keep their lead against San Diego State University

After coming back from being behind ten points in the second period, Nevada was unable to keep their lead against San Diego State University and faced another ten point deficit in the final period.

Nevada played away against SDSU on Feb. 9 and lost 68–57.

Amaya West and Da’Ja Hamilton, usually known for their high number of points, did not have a great performance. West did not score a single point and Hamilton only had two.

Although, Lexie Givens had a career high setting game scoring 27 points. She was the only Nevada player with double digits in the game.

Nevada had a slow start in the first period, not being able to gain a lead. SDSU started off strong with back-to-back 3-pointers. Lexie Givens got a layup for Nevada’s first points of the game. Audrey Roden made one of her two free throw attempts after Isabela Hernandez fouled. Nia Alexander and Alyssa Jimenez finished out the half, Jimenez with a 3-pointer. SDSU had multiple second-chance shots which kept them in the lead 14–10 after the first period.

SDSU made their lead increase to 10 points in the beginning of the second period. Nevada did not allow that to last long after Natalie Lathrop made two free throws and back-to-back 3-pointers by Kylie Jimenez and Audrey Roden. After a Nevada jumper and layup, the Wolf Pack took the lead 22–20.

There were three ties towards the end of the period at 22, 24 and finally at 29.

At halftime, Nevada was shooting 37 percent in the field goal, 26.7 percent for threes and 83.3 percent at the charity stripe.

Coming into the third period tied at 29, Nevada was able to take the lead right away. Givens made four free throws and Da’Ja Hamilton made her first points of the game off of an opponent turnover. Mercedes Staples sank a three for SDSU and a jumper which got them only one below Nevada at 36–37.

It was then a one and two point game for the next five minutes and the lead was switched three times. SDSU got ahead 49–44 after a layup, 3-pointer and two free throws from a foul on Lathrop. The Aztects finished the period with a 9–0 run and ahead 51–44.

The four fouls Nevada had in the third period made SDSU have easy opportunities to take a lead. The Aztecs went 8–8 at the charity stripe.

The fourth quarter started with another Nevada foul and SDSU gained a lead of 11. The last time they had a lead was in the second period and Nevada responded and tied by halftime. The Wolf Pack went on a five point run at eight minutes and came to only a four point deficit at 49–53.

After a couple of layups, jumpers and Staples with two 3-pointers, SDSU gained a large lead again at 65–53. The Jimenez sisters and Givens both had their share of two pointers but it was not enough to shorten the Aztec lead. In the last minute of the game, no points were scored and SDSU won 68–57.

SDSU had a high shooting percentage at 52 for field goals and 47.1 for threes. They also had four players in double digits for points.

Next the women will face 10–2 New Mexico at home on Feb. 12 at 12:30 p.m. New Mexico is currently ranked second in the Mountain West Conference. Nevada is ranked third at 7–4 in conference play.

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

Originally published at http://nevadasagebrush.com.