Nevada women’s basketball returns to Lawlor Event Center for home opener
The Nevada women’s basketball team heads back to Reno this Saturday evening to host Sacramento State, marking the program’s first home game of the 2026 season. After a loss in their season opener against LMU, the Wolf Pack are looking to establish momentum in front of a home crowd at the Lawlor Event Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
According to a report from nevadawolfpack.com, the Wolf Pack enter this matchup with a 0-1 record following an 89-64 loss to LMU. Despite the final score, individual performances provided a glimpse of the roster’s potential depth. Junior guard Aili Tanke served as a primary offensive catalyst, scoring a team-high 18 points and grabbing six rebounds. Tanke’s efficiency was particularly evident early in the contest, where she converted four of her five attempts from beyond the arc during the first quarter.
While the bench contributed 42 of the team’s 64 points, the Wolf Pack struggled to contain the perimeter and interior scoring of LMU’s starters. Four of the LMU starters combined for 65 of their team’s 89 total points, highlighting a defensive gap that Nevada will need to address before its next game.
Sacramento State brings momentum and veteran leadership to Reno
The Hornets arrive in Nevada following a 67-61 victory over UT Arlington. Sacramento State earned a victory in its last outing and will rely on senior guard Natalie Picton to lead the Hornets this weekend. Picton has a history of success against the Wolf Pack, having previously recorded 13 points, four steals, and three assists in a win over Nevada.
Picton’s experience is significant; she was named to the All-Big Sky Tournament Team last year, averaging 13.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Complementing her veteran presence is newcomer Alexis Hess, who made an immediate impact in the Hornets’ recent win. Hess contributed 15 points, five assists, and four rebounds off the bench, shooting 60 from the field and hitting three-pointers.
Nevada holds slim all-time lead over Sacramento State
The rivalry between these two programs remains closely contested. Since the 1971-72 season, Nevada has held a slim lead in the all-time series, winning 27 of the 53 matchups played against Sacramento State. However, the historical dominance of the Wolf Pack has waned in recent years. While Nevada once enjoyed a 12-game winning streak over the Hornets spanning from 1997 to 2023, that streak was broken last season when Sacramento State secured a 65-45 victory.
| Statistic | Nevada (Previous Meeting) | Sacramento State (Previous Meeting) |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal Percentage | 36.2% | 50% |
| Three-Point Percentage | zero shots made from three | 26.1 |
The inability to convert from long range proved costly in their last meeting, as Nevada finished with zero shots made from behind the arc.
How to watch and listen to the action
Fans looking to follow the game can access multiple streaming and broadcast options. The matchup will be simulcast on Nevada Sports Net and MW+. For those preferring audio coverage, the game can be heard on KPLY 630 AM or via the Varsity Network App. The broadcast teams for the various platforms include:
- TV/Stream (MW+ / NSN): Ryan Milano (play-by-play) and Christine Eckles (analyst)
- Radio (KPLY 630 AM / Varsity Network): Jacob Van Roekel
As the Wolf Pack attempt to correct the defensive lapses seen in their opener, the focus remains on whether the depth of the roster can translate into a cohesive defensive unit capable of halting Sacramento State.
