Nevada Beats Saint Mary's 96-95 in Overtime Victory

Nevada Beats Saint Mary’s 96-95 in Overtime Victory

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The Nevada Wolf Pack secured a 96-95 overtime victory against Saint Mary’s (CA) on November 8, 2026. This narrow win moves Nevada to a 2-0 record in Mountain West play, while Saint Mary’s falls to 2-1 after a hard-fought battle that required an extra period to decide.

The game was decided in the margins of a high-scoring overtime session where Nevada’s efficiency proved the difference. According to the official box score, Nevada shot 66.67% from the field and 66.67% from beyond the arc during the overtime period to edge out the Gaels.

Vaughn Weems leads the Wolf Pack

Vaughn Weems anchored the Nevada offense with a dominant performance. He finished the night with 33 points, shooting 12-of-20 from the field and adding four three-pointers. His ability to find scoring opportunities kept Nevada within striking distance throughout the contest.

Nevada Basketball: Vaughn Weems Postgame vs. Saint Mary’s

Styles Phipps also scored heavily for the Wolf Pack. Phipps contributed 25 points, shooting 10-of-12 from the field. His efficiency was a sharp contrast to the overall game averages, providing a steadying presence during Nevada’s scoring runs.

Elijah Price led the interior, recording 11 points and 11 rebounds. Price’s double-double helped Nevada control the glass, which proved essential during the physical stretches of the second half and the subsequent overtime.

Nevada Beats Saint Mary's 96-95 in Overtime Victory

Saint Mary’s struggles with efficiency

Despite the narrow loss, Saint Mary's scored frequently. Joshua Dent led the Gaels with 30 points, shooting 10-of-17 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range. His scoring kept Saint Mary’s in the lead for much of the early game.

Mantas Juzenas contributed 24 points for the Gaels, including five three-pointers. Juzenas was active on the offensive glass, securing eight offensive rebounds to help maintain possessions for Saint Mary’s.

The statistical breakdown shows a game of contrasting shooting performances between the two teams:

Team Field Goal % 3PT % Free Throw % Total Points
Nevada 57.6% 45.5% 63.9% 96
Saint Mary’s (CA) 43.4% 37.1% 84.2% 95

While Saint Mary’s was more effective at the free-throw line, shooting 84.2% as a team, Nevada’s superior field goal percentage helped them overcome the deficit in the final minutes.

The overtime turning point

The game remained tightly contested through regulation, forcing a fifth minute of play. In the first half, Saint Mary’s held a higher shooting percentage at 38.24%, but Nevada’s offense surged in the second half and overtime to reclaim momentum.

During the overtime period, Nevada’s shooting reached a peak. The Wolf Pack converted 6-of-9 shots from the field. Saint Mary’s also shot well in the extra period, hitting 6-of-9 field goals, but Nevada’s overall volume and efficiency throughout the night allowed them to maintain the one-point edge.

The defensive battle was highlighted by several key plays. Nevada’s Vaughn Weems recorded three steals, while Saint Mary’s Thomas Ndong contributed six steals to disrupt Nevada’s rhythm at various points in the game.

The result leaves both programs with momentum heading into their next matchups. Nevada remains undefeated on the season, while Saint Mary’s looks to rebound from the single loss in their early schedule.

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