RENO -- In their most lopsided Western Athletic Conference victory of the season, it came as no surprise to the Wolf Pack that they passed the ball best they have all season.
Nevada recorded a season-high 23 assists to only nine turnovers in its 86-59 win over San Jose State on Thursday at Lawlor Events Center. The win moved the Wolf Pack in the tie for second place in the WAC standings with Hawai'i, which is also 4-3 in the conference after losing to Fresno State 56-55 on Thursday in Fresno, Calif.
If Nevada can pass the ball even half as well as it did against the Spartans, the Wolf Pack should have a decent chance at knocking off the defending WAC Tournament champions.
"By far, it's the best we've passed the ball (this season)," said point guard Jerry Petty, who had eight points and a team-high nine assists. "The extra pass helped today."
It also helped the Wolf Pack shoot over 52 percent from the field in the game, including a 56 percent mark from behind the 3-point line. Terrance Green, who finished with 20 points and four assists, echoed Petty's words.
"I'm real happy for everybody," said Green, who's still ranked sixth all time in scoring at Nevada. "A lot of shots went down for us. Nobody was out there being selfish."
Seven different Wolf Pack players recorded an assist. Guard Kirk Snyder also finished with four assists.
NO PINKNEY, NO PROBLEM
Forward Kevinn Pinkney didn't play against San Jose State because of thigh contusion. The 6-foot-9 sophomore was averaging 7.3 ppg and 6.2 rpg coming into the game. Coach Trent Johnson said he will also miss Saturday's game against Hawai'i. Pinkney and junior guard Garry Hill-Thomas were the only two Nevada players to have started every game this season.
OKESON MORE THAN OK FROM LONG RANGE
Todd Okeson, who leads the WAC and is fifth in the nation in 3-point accuracy, didn't do anything to know him down from that perch on Thursday. Okeson, who was averaging 53.8 percent from behind-the-arc before the San Jose State game, knocked down 4-of-5 against the Spartans. He has now made 23 of his last 32 3-point attempts (72 percent).
BAD TO THE BROWNE
Forward Dean Browne fouled out with 10:46 left to play against the Spartans. He picked up five fouls in only nine minutes of action, averaging one foul less than every two minutes. He was the only Wolf Pack player not to score.
SPARKS GRAD FINALLY SCORES
Nevada senior London Wilson, who starred at Sparks High, scored his first points of the season. The 5-foot-11 guard finished with four points. He hit his only field goal attempt and went 2-for-2 from the free throw line. His career high is five points, which was set against Arkansas State last season.
AUSSIE HITS SEASON HIGH
Jason Eversteyn, Nevada's 7-foot-1 seldom used center, scored a season-high four points. His previous season high was two points, which came against Pacific.
SERIES UPDATE
San Jose State still leads the overall series 45-31. This was Nevada's first win against San Jose State at Lawlor since joining the WAC two years ago.
