January 25, 2024

Lucas’ Game-High 28 Points Propels Pack to Dominant 77-64 Victory Over #24 Colorado State

RENO, Nev. – Jarod Lucas put on an offensive display of excellence, scoring a game-high 28 points on 10-14 shooting from the field, and the Nevada Men’s Basketball team shot 53.7 percent from the field and 40 percent from behind the arc to earn a commanding 77-64 victory over #24 Colorado State Wednesday evening.

With the win, Nevada improved to 16-4 overall this season, including a mark of 3-3 in Mountain West play.

Nevada was sensational on both ends of the court throughout the game in what was one of the team’s most complete performances of the season.

Offensively, the Pack shot 53.7 percent from the field (29-54), and 40 percent from behind the arc (4-10). Nevada recorded 19 assists on 29 field goals, and the Pack scored 26 points in the paint. Nevada also knocked down 15 of their 18 free throw attempts throughout the contest.

Defensively, Nevada limited Colorado State to just 39.3 percent shooting from the field, and 26.1 percent from behind the arc, marking the second lowest clip from behind the arc that the Rams have posted in a game this season.

Individually, Lucas was remarkable from start to finish for the Pack. The 28 points scored by the fifth-year senior was his second-highest scoring output in a game this season, and his 10 made field goals marked a new season-high. Lucas scored 12 points in the first half and 16 in the second period, as he hit big shot after big shot over the final 20 minutes of action, propelling the Pack to a massive victory. Lucas also pulled down three rebounds, dished out two assists, and recorded one steal.

Kenan Blackshear was tremendous in the contest, particularly in the second half. Blackshear scored 20 points on 9-12 shooting from the field, including scoring 16 points in the second period on 7-8 shooting. The fifth-year senior also dished out five assists, pulled down five rebounds, and recorded two steals.

Senior forward Tre Coleman continued his recent stretch of outstanding play with another exceptional performance on both ends of the court. Coleman dished out a season-high seven assists, scored five points, and pulled down five rebounds. Defensively, Coleman was sensational, as he limited Isaiah Stevens to just eight points on 4-16 shooting as the primary defender on Stevens.

Nick Davidson nearly recorded his third double-double of the season, as the redshirt sophomore scored 10 points on 3-4 shooting from the field and a perfect 4-4 at the free throw line, in addition to pulling down a team-high seven boards.

Redshirt junior Tylan Pope had his best outing in a Nevada uniform, as he provided a superb boost off the bench for the Pack. Pope scored seven points, pulled down three rebounds, and recorded two massive blocks in 12 minutes of action.

Nevada dominated the contest, as they held a lead for 33 minutes and 39 seconds while in turn trailing for just four minutes and five seconds in the game. The Pack never trailed throughout the second half, and they built their lead up to as many as 15 points.

First Half

K.J. Hymes got the Pack off to a tremendous start, as he scored the first bucket of the game, a floater in the lane 35 seconds into the contest to give the Pack a 2-0 lead. 23 seconds later, Hymes recorded a vicious block on defense.

After the two squads went scoreless on their next few possessions, Hymes drove past his defender and finished at the rim, as Nevada took a 4-0 lead at the 17:59 mark.

The Pack expanded their lead up to 6-0 after Blackshear made a turnaround jumper at the 17:10 mark.

Colorado State finally got on the board nearly four minutes into the game, as they were able to get out in transition and throw down a two-handed dunk, cutting the Pack’s lead down to 6-2 with 16:11 left in the first half.

The Rams proceeded to score five straight points following the dunk, as they used a 7-0 run to take a 7-6 lead over the Pack with 14:43 remaining in the period.

Davidson responded for Nevada, scoring four consecutive points, as the Pack took a 10-7 edge at the 13-minute mark.

The two squads found themselves deadlocked once again at 15 points apiece with 7:46 left in the first half after Coleman found Pope open for a massive dunk.

Following Pope’s ferocious slam, Hunter McIntosh recorded a steal on defense for the Pack, and Coleman found Lucas open who proceeded to drill a 3-pointer, giving Nevada an 18-15 advantage with 7:05 remaining in the first half.

The Rams hit a lone free throw to cut the Pack’s lead to two points; however, Blackshear found a cutting Pope in the lane, and Pope finished a layup at the rim while being fouled. He went on to make the free throw and expand Nevada’s lead up to five points with 6:27 to go until halftime.

Nevada outscored the Rams 14-11 over the remainder of the half, highlighted by a step back jumper from Lucas that soared through the net as the halftime buzzer went off, giving the Pack a 35-27 lead entering the break.

Second Half

Blackshear opened up the scoring in the second period by draining a mid-range jump shot to give Nevada a 10-point lead, marking their first double digit lead of the game.

After a defensive stop by the Pack, Blackshear hit another mid-range jumper, expanding Nevada’s lead up to 12 points.

The Rams battled back, cutting the Pack’s lead down to five points with 12:24 to go; however, Lucas and Blackshear refused to let Colorado State back in the game.

Holding a 49-44 lead, Lucas drained a contested-and-one jump shot and converted the free throw to put the Pack up 52-44.

Colorado State scored on the other end to cut the Pack’s lead to six; but, Lucas splashed a deep contested 3-pointer, the 300th of his career, to give Nevada a nine-point edge with 11:38 to go.

Colorado State fought back, using the next six minutes of gametime to trim the Pack’s lead down to just five points with 5:45 to go.

Leading by five late in the game, Blackshear took complete control of the contest. The fifth-year senior grabbed an offensive rebound and finished a tough left-handed layup over two defenders to push Nevada’s lead back up to seven points, as they held a 67-60 edge with 5:10 to go.

Just over a minute later, Blackshear hit another contested mid-range jumper, as Nevada extended their lead up to nine points with 3:52 remaining.

After getting another defensive stop, Blackshear grabbed another offensive board and finished another layup at the rim, putting Nevada ahead 71-60 with just 2:35 left in the game.

The Rams scored on the other end to cut the deficit back to single digits; however, Blackshear drew a foul and knocked down a pair of free throws, marking eight consecutive points for the fifth-year senior and giving Nevada a 73-62 lead with just 1:45 to go.

The Pack went on to earn the impressive 77-64 victory over the number 24 ranked team in the country, marking their first victory over a ranked opponent this season.

Notable Stats

Nevada now owns a record of 10-1 at Lawlor Events Center this season.
Jarod Lucas knocked down his 300th career 3-pointer in the game.
Tre Coleman’s seven assists marked a new season-high for the senior.
Jarod Lucas and Kenan Blackshear combined for 48 points on 19-26 shooting from the field.
Nevada’s second half field goal percentage of 58.3 percent marked the Pack’s second-highest field goal percentage in a half this season.
The Pack outrebounded Colorado State, 34-32.
Nevada scored 12 second chance points on eight offensive rebounds.