Nevada might have delivered one of the most entertaining victories of college basketball's opening week Sunday afternoon, and the Wolf Pack accomplished it against a program with considerable NCAA Tournament experience. Facing Saint Mary's in the inaugural Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic, Nevada survived a furious second-half comeback before securing a 96–95 overtime victory.
The result improved Nevada to 2–0 and provided an encouraging early indication of the offensive talent within its roster. Vaughn Weems scored a career-high 33 points, while Styles Phipps added a career-best 25, including 11 during overtime. Together, they accounted for 58 points and repeatedly answered Saint Mary's attempts to seize control.
For a Nevada program hoping to establish itself among the Mountain West's strongest teams, the victory offered something more meaningful than another early-season win. The Wolf Pack demonstrated that they could generate offense against a respected opponent and respond when a comfortable advantage disappeared.
Two career nights changed everything
Weems delivered the most productive scoring performance of the afternoon, making 12 of his 20 field-goal attempts and connecting on four three-pointers. He also contributed five rebounds and three steals, helping Nevada maintain offensive momentum throughout the contest.
Phipps was even more efficient, making 10 of 12 shots while contributing five assists. His overtime performance became particularly important after Saint Mary's erased Nevada's second-half advantage.
The Wolf Pack shot 57.6% from the field and made five of 11 three-pointers. Nevada also finished with 24 assists, demonstrating that its offensive production wasn't limited to difficult individual possessions.
Elijah Price provided another important contribution with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Peter Bandelj scored 10 and recorded six assists.
Saint Mary's nearly completed a remarkable comeback
The Gaels opened the contest with nine unanswered points, but Nevada responded with a 9–0 run of its own. The Wolf Pack eventually established a 42–35 halftime advantage and maintained control for much of the second half.
Saint Mary's refused to disappear. Trailing by 10 points with approximately four minutes remaining in regulation, the Gaels produced a 17–7 closing run to force overtime at 79–79.
Joshua Dent led Saint Mary's with a career-high 30 points and five assists. Mantas Juzenas contributed 24 points and eight rebounds, while Jeremy Dent-Smith added 20 points and three steals.
The three 20-point performances highlighted an unusually productive offensive afternoon for the Gaels. Saint Mary's scored at least 90 points for the third consecutive game, something the program hadn't accomplished since the 1970–71 season.
Despite that production, the Gaels couldn't complete the comeback.
Phipps delivered when Nevada needed him most
Overtime became a showcase for both offenses. Saint Mary's made six of its nine field-goal attempts during the extra period, but Nevada continued answering.
Phipps scored 11 of the Wolf Pack's 17 overtime points, providing the decisive offensive contribution. Saint Mary's tied the score three times during overtime but never managed to take the lead.
Nevada eventually secured a 96–95 victory, surviving a final three-pointer by Dent that reduced the margin to one point.
The Wolf Pack finished with a 46–26 advantage in points in the paint and outscored Saint Mary's 19–15 off turnovers. Those differences helped Nevada overcome the Gaels' superior three-point production.
Nevada has earned an early opportunity to dream
One victory doesn't establish Nevada as a Mountain West championship contender, but defeating Saint Mary's provides a meaningful early accomplishment.
The Gaels have built a reputation for disciplined basketball, strong defense and consistent postseason appearances. Scoring 96 points against that program demonstrates Nevada's offensive potential, particularly with Weems and Phipps combining for career-best performances.
The Wolf Pack now travels to UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday, where it will attempt to maintain its unbeaten start. Saint Mary's returns home Friday to face UIC.
For Nevada, Sunday's victory offers an early foundation for optimism. The Wolf Pack showed that it can score efficiently, survive adversity and rely on multiple players during critical possessions.
If Weems and Phipps continue producing at a high level, Nevada could become one of the Mountain West's most interesting teams to follow this season.
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