Stephens scores 19, Nevada beats Fresno State in MW opener

Dec 28, 2017, 05:17 am

FRESNO, Calif. -- Kendall Stephens scored 19 points, including five 3-pointers, and Caleb Martin had a double-double to help Nevada beat Fresno State 80-65 on Wednesday night in the Mountain West Conference opener for both teams.

Martin finished with 18 points and career-high 10 rebounds, Jordan Caroline and Lindsey Drew scored 13 points apiece and Cody Martin added 10 for Nevada (12-3).

Stephens made a steal and then hit a 3-pointer to open the game and the Wolf Pack never trailed. Caroline and Hallice Cook hit back-to-back 3s before Drew made a layup to cap an 8-0 spurt that made it 25-16 and Nevada took a 38-30 lead into the break. A bucket by Bryson Williams pulled Fresno State (10-4) within five points early in the second half, but Stephens, Caleb Martin and Drew each hit a 3 during a 15-3 run that gave Nevada a 55-38 lead with 13:45 to go and the Bulldogs trailed by at least nine points the rest of the way.

Deshon Taylor had 16 points and Williams scored 11 for Fresno State. The Bulldogs have lost two of their last three games after winning seven in a row.