Nevada women's basketball preview box

6TH ANNUAL NUGGET CLASSIC

When: Dec. 1-2

Where: Lawlor Events Center

TV-Radio: KAME will televise Sunday's 4 p.m. championship game, and 1450 AM will broadcast both Nevada games

Participating teams: Nevada, Southern University, UCLA, Idaho State

First-round match-ups: Nevada (3-2) vs. Southern University (0-2), 5:15 p.m.; UCLA (3-2) - Idaho State (4-2), 7 p.m.

Probable starters: SOUTHERN - F Courtney Scott (11.0, 4.5), Indi Johnson (13.5, 10.0); C Freda Allen (3.5, 4.0); G Hannah Kador (3.5, 3.5), Aerica Hicks (4.5, 2.5) or Ashley Augerson (4.5, 3.5); NEVADA - F Cherlanda Franklin (3.6, 4.6), Brandi Fitzgerald (5.8, 4.0); C Marianne Lombardi (8.6, 5.4); G Dellena Criner 15.0, 4.8; Mikail Price (11.4, 3.4)

About Southern: The Jags lost a close one to Northwestern State and then were blown out by Ohio State ... The Jags' only consistent scoring has come from Indi Johnson and Courtney Scott, the team's top players ... Eight players see significant action for the Jags, who have struggled to score points thus far ... The 6-2 Johnson could provide some match-up problems for the Pack.

About Nevada: The Pack, 3-2, has been idle since its championship game at the EL Paso Tournament was cancelled because of electrical problems at the facility ... It wouldn't be surprising to see some rust on the Pack in the early going of thois game ... Marianne Lombardi made her first start a successful one, turning in her first-ever double-double at Nevada with 16 points and 13 rebounds, the latter a career best ... Mikail Price started for the first time last week, and the Pack could use her 11.4 scoring average for extended minutes ... Dellkena Criner, who scored 24 against Stephen F. Austin last week, brings a 15-point average into the tournament.

About UCLA: The Bruins came within four points of knocking off No. 3 Maryland at Pauley Pavilion recently. That loss ended the Bruins' season-opening three-game win streak ... UCLA played at Pepperdine on Wednesday night to start a five-game, four-city road trip ... Kathy Olivier's team is led by senior forward Lindsey Pluimer (18.8, 8.0) and four outstanding freshman - Doreena Campbell (13.8), Nina Earl (11.8), Regina Rogers (10.0) and Darxia Morris (11.3). Veteran Tierra Henderson (7.5) is one of three returning starters ... The Bruibns eclipsed the 100-point mark in an early season win over Cal Poly-SLO.

About Idaho State: The Bengals are the defending Big Sky champs, and have made three post-season appearances in the last five seasons ... Natalie Doma, a 6-foot-3 center is averaging 21.2 points and 10.2 rebounds a game. Senior guard Andrea Lightfoot (14.2, 6.6) and Michelle Grohs (8.0, 3.2) are usually the second and third offensive options.

Compiled by Darrell Moody