Nevada Sports Net

Nevada Women’s Basketball Falls 70-60 to Sacramento State in Home Opener

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The Nevada women’s basketball team saw their home opener at the Lawlor Events Center slip away on Saturday, as a sluggish start proved too much to overcome in a 70-60 loss to Sacramento State.

While the Wolf Pack managed to trim a 19-point deficit down to nine in the final quarter, the early hole dug by the team left them chasing the Hornets for the duration of the contest.

The Wolf Pack struggled to find their rhythm early, entering the halftime break trailing 44-27. Nevada shot just 39 percent from the field during the game, while Sacramento State capitalized on their opportunities, hitting 53.5 percent of their shots. The Hornets utilized a defense that resulted in 16 turnovers from the Wolf Pack, which the visitors efficiently converted into 27 points.

🔴 Sacramento State vs Nevada | NCAA Women College Basketball 08/11/2026 Live SCOREBOARD EN VIVO

The game’s momentum was established in the first quarter, with Sacramento State jumping out to a 20-12 lead. Nevada’s offensive inefficiency was compounded by a lack of dominance on the boards; the Hornets controlled the interior, winning the second-chance points battle nine to one. The loss drops Nevada to an 0-2 record on the young season.

The contrast between the two teams was stark, particularly when compared to Nevada’s season opener against LMU, where the team showcased scoring contributions. In that earlier 89-64 loss, the Wolf Pack bench provided 42 of their 64 total points. Against Sacramento State, however, the team could not replicate that depth.

Mahaila Harrison provided the primary offensive output for Nevada, finishing with a team-high 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Despite her efforts, the Wolf Pack never held a lead throughout the 40 minutes of play.

Historically, this matchup has been highly competitive. While Nevada maintains a narrow 27-26 lead in the all-time series dating back to the 1971-72 season, the recent trend has shifted. After a 12-game winning streak between 1997 and 2023, the Wolf Pack have now dropped back-to-back games against the Hornets, including last year’s 65-45 defeat.

A women's basketball player in navy holds her arm up after shooting while an opponent in white turns to watch the shot
Photo: nevadawolfpack.com

The stakes for the Wolf Pack remain high as they attempt to correct their course. With the early-season record now at 0-2, the team will look to reset on Tuesday night when they host Jessup at 6 p.m. The coaching staff will need to address the turnover issues and shooting percentages if they hope to secure their first win of the season in front of the home crowd.

The path forward begins Tuesday, where the focus will shift from the frustrations of Saturday to the technical execution required to stabilize their season.

More on this story: BYU Women's Basketball Beats Portland 74-64 After Dominant Third Quarter · Mizzou Women's Basketball Opens Road Campaign at Little Rock

More on Women's Basketball: Arkansas Women's Basketball Dominates Northwestern State Behind 34 Turnovers · UAB Women's Basketball Defeats South Alabama 73-59 · Georgia Tech Women's Basketball Faces No. 24 West Virginia at McCamish Pavilion

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