No. 6 Nevada struggles in 85-58 loss to New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - No. 6 Nevada was shut down by New Mexico and Anthony Mathis scored 27 points to help the Lobos hand the Wolf Pack their first loss of the season with an 85-58 victory on Saturday night.

High-scoring Nevada (14-1, 1-1 Mountain West) shot just 33.3 percent (19 for 57) from the field and committed 14 turnovers. The Wolf Pack also went 16 for 27 at the free-throw line.

While Nevada flopped, New Mexico rolled to its most impressive win of the season.

Vance Jackson had 18 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals for the Lobos (8-6, 2-0). Makuach Maluach scored 14 points, and Carlton Bragg had nine points and 12 rebounds.

Jordan Caroline scored 17 for the Wolf Pack, who looked out of sorts throughout the game. Brothers Caleb and Cody Martin combined to go 4 for 21 from the field for 17 points.

New Mexico grabbed control with an early 20-6 run. The stretch featured 3-pointers from Jackson and Dane Kuiper as well as a resounding windmill dunk by Bragg that energized the crowd.

The Lobos ran their lead out to 67-45 after 3-pointers from Maluach and Mathis with seven minutes left. Fans stormed the court to celebrate after it was over.

BIG PICTURE

Nevada's 14-0 start equaled the best in school history. The loss likely will drop the Wolf Pack at least several spots in the rankings, possibly behind two-loss teams Gonzaga and Michigan State.

Coming into the night, New Mexico had lost three of four at home, but had beaten the Wolf Pack three out of four meetings in the Pit. Nevada, however, had won the previous four in the series - one in Albuquerque, two in Reno and once in the conference tournament.

UP NEXT

Nevada hosts San Jose State on Wednesday.

New Mexico is home on Tuesday against UNLV.