RENO, Nev. ? Nevada had four players score in double figures and shot 52 percent in the second half to pull away from Colorado 69-59 for the John Ascuaga Nugget Classic championship on Saturday night at the Lawlor Events Center.
Colorado senior guard Veronica Johns-Richardson scored 11 points and was named to the Nugget Classic All-Tournament team. Wolfpack guard Talisha Anderson scored a team-high 16 points while Amber Young earned tournament MVP honors with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Colorado (1-1) led 30-28 at halftime, but the Wolfpack sprinted out with a 24-10 run to open the second half. Nevada (2-0) had consecutive 3-point field goals from Traci Graham, Jessica Pressler and Anderson to take a 52-40 lead with 11:47 remaining. Nevada hit 14-of-27 from the field in the second half including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
The Buffaloes cut the lead to five (59-54) with just under five minutes left but could not get any closer. The Wolfpack took advantage of a 40-31 edge on the boards, including 12 offensive rebounds. Nevada was also perfect from the free-throw line in the second half (9-for-9), hitting 17-of-22 overall (77.3 percent), while Colorado hit just 11-of-20 from the line (55 percent).
Freshman center Kara Richards had 14 points on 7-of-10 from the field. Sophomore Jasmina Ilic had career-highs with 11 points and six rebounds. Sarah Lini also had a personal best nine points. Forward Anna Nedovic, who had 23 points and 10 rebounds against Loyola Marymount Friday, was limited to just three points and four rebounds Saturday.
Colorado will return home to host the 18th annual Coors Classic, Nov. 26-27, at the Coors Events Conference Center. Nationally ranked LSU and Maryland play in the first game on Friday at 5 p.m. while the Buffaloes will play 2004 NCAA Tournament participant Pennsylvania at 7 p.m.
