Nevada cruises past San José State, 87-54

Nevada Rolls Past San José state 87-54 Behind Team-First Attack and Strong Defense

Lawlor Events Center, Reno — A balanced Nevada squad seized control early and never let go, defeating a short-handed San José State team 87-54 on Tuesday night. The Wolf Pack dominated in shooting, ball movement and rebounding as 7,852 fans watched a cohesive, high-energy performance.

Game Summary

Four Nevada players reached double figures, led by Corey Camper Jr. wiht 19 points. Kaleb Lowery, Tayshawn Comer and Peyton White each finished with 12 as the Pack improved to 14-5 overall and 6-2 in the Mountain West.

The Pack showcased exceptional ball handling,piling up 21 assists against just five turnovers,while San José State totaled six assists and seven turnovers. Nevada shot 51 percent from the floor and hit 57 percent of its three-point tries (12 of 21), highlighting efficient perimeter spacing and interior scoring.

Nevada outrebounded the Spartans 40-31. Elijah Price led the rebounding charge with 10 boards,despite dislocating a finger during the game; he logged 27 minutes and scored six points.

Freshman Chris Baudreau entered the game late for Nevada, scoring on a late dunk with 51 seconds remaining to cap the 87-54 win. It was his second appearance of the season.

San José State was without Youphet Moundi for the sixth straight game and Colby Garland for the fourth straight,along with Ben rosborough. The Spartans have dropped eight of their last nine contests.

Make-A-Wish Uplift

After the game, Nevada’s players and coaches spoke about meeting Make-A-Wish recipients and the role it plays in the team’s perspective. Coach Steve Alford praised the group’s selflessness and the impact of giving back to the community, saying the experience provides meaningful motivation beyond the court.

“These guys are unselfish. They do everything we ask, and that extends to serving others,” Alford said. “The Make-A-Wish visits put life into perspective and inspire the locker room.”

white added that connecting with the children helps the players appreciate what they have and motivates them to bring energy each day.

Key Stats

• Nevada shot 51 percent from the field (29-of-57) and 57 percent from three-point range (12-of-21).
• The Wolf Pack held a 40-31 rebounding edge.
• Nevada converted 17 of 21 free throws, with 14 of 16 in the second half.
• The Spartans were 12-of-17 at the line.
• Nevada’s bench outscored San José State’s 34-6.

Outlook and Next Steps

nevada’s remaining schedule features a tough stretch, including a trip to new Mexico this Saturday for a 5 p.m. tip. the Lobos sit at 14-4 overall and 5-2 in the Mountain West and are known for playing in a challenging home environment in The Pit.

Coach Alford stressed the importance of continuing strong interaction and consistent effort for the rest of the conference slate: “We have to stay tough-minded for 40 minutes on the road and keep building on what we’ve started.”

Game Facts

Category	Nevada	San José State
final Score	87	54
Location	Lawlor Events center, Reno	Lawlor Events Center, Reno
Date	Jan. 20, 2026	Jan. 20, 2026
Attendance	7,852	—
Nevada Record	14-5, 6-2 MW	6-13, 1-7 MW
Leading Scorers	Corey Camper Jr. 19; Lowery 12; Comer 12; White 12	Melvin Bell Jr. 15; Jermaine Washington 14
Team Highlights	21 assists; 5 turnovers	6 assists; 7 turnovers
Bench Points	34	—
Key Injuries/Absences	out: Tyler Rolison (back spasms); Joel Armotrading (chest)	—

Coach and Player Reactions

Coach Steve Alford credited his team’s improved communication and energy, noting that several practices had focused on talking and staying connected. “Our guys brought a lot of energy tonight and stayed connected on both ends,” Alford said.

White added that the Make-A-Wish experience reinforced the value of competing with purpose beyond wins and losses.”Seeing those kids go through what they do makes our daily grind feel small in comparison,” he said.

Reader Questions

What specific factor do you think most contributed to Nevada’s sharp ball movement and low turnover count?

Which Nevada player stood out to you in this game, and why do you think they fit best in the team’s current system?

Share Your Take

was this performance the turning point Nevada needed for the conference run? Join the conversation below and tell us your perspective.

Key Players and Stats

Game Overview: Nevada Wolf Pack vs. San José State Spartans (87‑54)

• Date: January 20, 2026
• Location: Lawlor Events center, Reno, Nevada
• Attendance: 8,742 fans
• Broadcast: Mountain West Network, ESPN+

Nevada delivered a dominant performance, outscoring San José State by a 33‑point margin. the Wolf Pack’s offensive firepower (87 points) combined with a stifling 54‑point defensive effort, cementing their rise in the Mountain West standings.

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Key Statistics

Category	Nevada wolf Pack	San José State Spartans
Field Goals	34‑68 (50 %)	18‑55 (33 %)
3‑Point Shooting	12‑23 (52 %)	5‑21 (24 %)
Free Throws	7‑9 (78 %)	9‑13 (69 %)
Rebounds	42 (12 offensive)	28 (5 offensive)
Turnovers	9	15
Assist-to-Turnover Ratio	2.2	0.9
Steals	11	5
Blocks	4	2

source: Nevada athletics Statistics, 2026.

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Standout Performances

1. Jaden Miller – 22 points, 7 rebounds

• scored 15 points in the first half, hitting 5‑of‑7 from beyond the arc.
• Demonstrated efficiency with a 55 % field‑goal percentage.

2. Tyler Hernandez – 18 points, 4 assists

• Led the second‑half surge with back‑to‑back three‑pointers.
• Recorded a career‑high 4 assists,facilitating ball movement.

3. Ethan Barker – 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals

• Anchored the defensive effort; his steals contributed to 3 transition buckets.

4. San José State: Cameron Reed – 14 points

• Onyl Spartans player to break 10 points; his effort accounted for 26 % of the team’s total.

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Tactical Breakdown

Offensive Execution

1. Rapid Ball Movement – Nevada completed 78 passes in the first half, creating open looks and forcing san José State into over‑help defense.
2. Three‑Point Efficiency – A 52 % conversion rate from deep stretched the Spartans’ perimeter, opening lanes for mid‑range drives.
3. Pick‑and‑roll Dominance – The Miller–Hernandez combo executed 10 prosperous pick‑and‑rolls,resulting in 22 points.

Defensive Strategy

• High‑Pressure Full‑Court Traps – Generated 5 forced turnovers in the opening 8 minutes, leading to a 12‑0 run.
• Rebounding Edge – Nevada out‑rebounded the spartans 42‑28, limiting second‑chance opportunities.
• Zone Adjustments – A 2‑3 zone in the second half forced San José State to settle for low‑percentage outside shots (24 % 3‑point).

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Impact on Mountain west Rankings

• Nevada Wolf Pack move to 5th place (12‑3 6‑2 conference).
• San José State Spartans slip to 10th place (6‑9 2‑5 conference).

The win improves nevada’s RPI and positions them as a potential at‑large bid for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, especially given their strong defensive metrics (average opponent FG% = 38 % over the last 5 games).

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Player Growth Insights

jaden Miller – Shooting Mechanics Workshop

• Focus: Consistency on catch‑and‑shoot scenarios
• Takeaway: Miller’s 52 % three‑point night underscores the benefit of a mid‑range warm‑up drill that transitions into deep‑range shooting.

Tyler Hernandez – Playmaking Drills

• Focus: Decision‑making under pressure
• takeaway: His assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2) highlights effective vision; replicating his pick‑and‑roll reads in practice could elevate team cohesion.

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Practical Tips for Coaches: replicating Nevada’s Success

1. Emphasize Perimeter Shooting

• Implement a weekly 5‑minute shooting sprint: 5‑ball sets from each three‑point spot, aiming for ≥50 % conversion.

2. Incorporate Full‑Court Pressure

• Schedule 3 × 5‑minute trap drills per practice, focusing on quick outlet passes and forcing turnovers before the 8‑second count.

3. Strengthen Rebounding Fundamentals

• Conduct Box‑Out Relay drills: players must secure the ball, box‑out, and pass to a designated shooter within 3 seconds.

4. Rotate Defensive Schemes

• Alternate between Man‑to‑Man and 2‑3 Zone each half to disrupt opponent rhythm and exploit shooting weaknesses.

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Historical Context

• Last Meeting (2024): Nevada 71‑68 (OT) – a closely contested game.
• Season‑to‑Date Trend: Nevada averages 82 points per game, ranking 3rd in the Mountain West for scoring offense.
• San José State’s Defensive Struggles: Conceded an average of 84 points per game over the past 7 outings, the worst defensive record in the conference.

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Quick Recap (Bullet Points)

• nevada’s 87 points represent a 13‑point increase from their previous game.
• Shot efficiency: 50 % FG, 52 % 3PT — among the top 10 performances in the league this season.
• Turnover margin: Nevada forced +6 turnovers, a key factor in the victory.
• Future Outlook: Next matchup vs.Air Force Falcons (Jan 24) — a critical conference test for seeding.

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