Sessions plays with a pad to protect injury

RENO - Wearing some football-type padding to protect the thigh contusion suffered against Saint Mary's College earlier in the week, Ramon Sessions was able to play Saturday night.

Sessions did turn the ball over four times in the first half and five times total, but finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and a season-high eight assists in Nevada's 60-53 win over Pacific at Lawlor Events Center.

"I felt good," Sessions said. "I tested it out in practice and it was feeling pretty good. There was a little soreness afterwards, but it was pretty good."

"The medical staff is concerned he could get hit there again," Nevada coach Mark Fox said. "He had four turnovers in the first half because he hasn't been practicing. He was able to find his groove in the second half."

Sessions had seven second-half points, three coming in an 18-2 run early in the second half that enabled the Pack to grab a 40-31 advantage. H also had a layup in a 7-0 second-half surge.

DECISION TIME NEARING

Fox said he will make a decision on the status of forward Demarshay Johnson either this week or next week.

Johnson was declared academically ineligible last spring, and hasn't played yet this season. If all went right in the classroom this fall, he could return to the team later this month.

"We have met," Fox said after the game. "He agreed to go with what I decided. I'm going to do what's best for him in the big picture."

DELAY OF GAME

The start of Saturday's game was delayed approximately 11 minutes because officials Randy McCall, Martin Cota and Mark Reischling didn't show up at the arena until about 15 minutes prior to tip-off.

The officials, who were staying at the Peppermill, got a late start and were caught in traffic because of the storm that hit Northern Nevada in the middle of the day.

HONORING MELARKEY

Nevada honored the late Wolf Pack great Jim Melarkey in a presentation at halftime.

Melarkey, who passed away on Nov. 19, was part of one of the greatest victories in school history when Nevada upset St. John's 55-49 at Madison Square Garden during the 1946-47 season. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1976.

ZERO FOR NICK

All American forward Nick Fazekas didn't attempt a free throw for the second time this season.

The first time he failed to shoot a free throw was against Arkansas Pine-Bluff. He remains four free throws behind school leader Terrance Green (445-441).

Fazekas' six field goals means he trails school leader Edgar Jones by one (736-735). He will, barring any mishaps, break the record Friday against Akron.

Fazekas' 13 points moved him into the ninth spot in WAC history with 2,018, four ahead of ex-Rice star Michael Harris.

NOTABLES

Fazekas and Kyle Shiloh took over the lead for career wins in a Nevada uniform with 86. The duo had tied ex-Pack star Kevinn Pinkney when Nevada beat Saint Mary's College ... Nevada is 3-1 when holding opponents to less than 60 points ... They are 1-1 when scoring less than 70 points ... Nevada has won 23 of its last 25 games dating back to Jan. 26, 2006.

•Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281