Pack notebook: McGee plays a key role

RENO - JaVale McGee played a big role in Nevada's win over New Mexico State earlier this year in Las Cruces.

According to NMSU coach Marvin Menzies, McGee played an even bigger role this time around.

McGee only scored 12 points, but he blocked five shots and generally made life miserable for the New Mexico State big men in the Pack's 98-85 win Thursday night at Lawlor Events Center.

"McGee did a fantastic job," Menzies said. "He blocked four or five shots and altered a lot more. He took our big guys out of the game."

Hatila Passos, who had his first shot of the game rejected by McGee on the game's opening possession, was held to seven points and five rebounds. Martin Iti had just six points and three rebounds.

McGee moved up to fourth in career blocked shots with 109, surpassing Sean Paul who had 107 blocks in 123 career games. McGee has garnered 109 in 61 games.

NOT WHAT HE EXPECTED

Menzies didn't expect the high-scoring game that he witnessed.

"Because we have been playing defense so well, I thought it was going to be a grinder," the NMSU coach said. "We knew we couldn't let them get in a rhythm and they did that. We had a lot of defensive miscues in the early part of the game and throughout.

"I knew we wouldn't shoot it the way we did there (in Las Cruces). We struggled here, the first half especially. We got going in the second half (50 points), but it was too little too late."

TIME CHANGE

A reminder to Wolf Pack fans that Saturday's game against Louisiana Tech has been changed.

Instead of the usual 7:05 p.m. starting time, the game will be changed to 6:05 p.m.

It will be Senior Night, as the Pack bids farewell to Marcelus Kemp, Virginia City's Curry Lynch, David Ellis and Demarshay Johnson.

SNEDDON HONORED

Steve Sneddon, the veteran sportswriter from the Reno Gazette Journal, was honored prior to Thursday's game.

Sneddon is retiring this year after covering Nevada basketball for the last 38 seasons as either a beat writer or columnist. Sneddon received an autographed basketball from the current Wolf Pack team and a large-screen television.

FACTS & FIGURES

Nevada has now won 36 of its last 39 at Lawlor, including 11 of its last 12. Nevada is 71-8 at home since the start of the 2003-04 season ... Brandon Fields scored 50 points this season against the Aggies ... Marcelus Kemp, who scored 27 points and dished out eight assists, reached double figures for the 28th straight game this season and the 90th time in his career. He has 14 games of 20 or more points this season ... Nevada enjoyed a 40-35 edge on the boards, giving the Pack a 12-2 record when it wins the rebound battle ... Nevada, which shot 61 percent, is 11-0 when shooting 50 percent or better ... The win was coach Mark Fox's 99th win. He could get his 100th on Saturday against Louisiana Tech ... Nevada turned the ball over 18 times leading to 24 NMSU points.