[NEVADA ATHLETICS RELEASE]
RENO, Nev. - The Nevada women’s basketball team won a thriller over San Francisco thanks to a Da’Ja Hamilton game-tying three pointer at the final buzzer, forcing an overtime period. The Pack defeated the Dons, 73-67, at Lawlor Events Center on Sunday afternoon to finish the 2021 Nugget Classic presented by the University of Nevada.
“It’s important that we keep composure and have each other’s backs throughout the game,” said Hamilton. “Coach Levens kept telling us to stick together. We trusted each other to make the next play.”
Hamilton paced Nevada with 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Alyssa Jimenez had a standout day for the Pack, registering a career-high 14 points, three rebounds and one steal. Nia Alexander continued her strong weekend, contributing 13 points, two rebounds and one steal. Lexie Givens tied her career-high in scoring after netting nine points while hauling in five boards and dishing out an assist. Kylie Jimenez added to her weekend hot streat, tabbing seven points, three points and one rebound.
The game was close from the beginning with the Dons grasping a 16-15 first quarter lead. The second quarter remained back and forth before San Francisco took a 25-23 lead into the locker room.
Nevada regained its lead with 8:27 left in the third on an A. Jimenez jumper in the paint. San Francisco answered with a quick two to tie the game up. Then, Alexander’s three pointer gave the Pack a 30-27 edge over the Dons. A back-and-forth continuation remained until the end of the quarter with San Francisco holding a 48-41 lead.
Despite being down by seven points with 4:26 left in the fourth, Nevada continued to play tough and remain in the game. A Nia Alexander jumper placed the Pack within five with 3:20 left. San Francisco, which held a 59-53 lead at the 1:45 mark, was issued a technical foul resulting in two Hamilton made free throws. After Nevada got the ball back, an A. Jimenez jumper cut the San Francisco lead to 59-57. With 44 seconds left, the Dons fouled K. Jimenez, resulting in a made free throw and one-point ball game. With 11 seconds left, Nevada was forced to foul the Dons. San Francisco converted on both free throws to push its lead to 61-58. As the clock hit nine seconds, the Pack called a timeout to advance the ball and draw up what would become the game-tying play. As Nevada inbounded the ball, a Givens screen left Hamilton wide open on the left key. J. Jimenez’s dime quickly left Hamilton’s hands and sent the game into overtime.
With the momentum carrying with the Pack after Hamilton’s clutch three, Nevada controlled the overtime period. Alexander’s and-one with 3:16 left gave Nevada a 65-63 lead. Following Alexander, a made jumper by A. Jimenez grew the Pack’s lead to four. Nevada followed by forcing a San Francisco turnover that eventually led to a Givens layup under the basket, giving Nevada a 69-63 edge. Under one minute left in the game, four free throws by K. Jimenez secured the Wolf Pack victory to end the Nugget Classic presented by the University of Nevada.
UP NEXT
The Pack travels to California to face Cal Poly and Pacific on Dec. 2-4 in San Luis Obispo and Stockton.
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