Nevada survives scare against Grand Canyon to move to 10-0
PHOENIX (AP) Jordan Carolina had 22 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 6 Nevada used a late run to finally shake Grand Canyon for a 74-66 victory Sunday in the Colangelo Classic.
Nevada (10-0) had a short turnaround after playing No. 20 Arizona State late Friday night and found itself in what felt like a home environment for Grand Canyon.
Spurred by the road version of the rowdy Havocs student section, the Antelopes (5-4) held Nevada scoreless the opening 5 1/2 minutes and were within two at halftime.
Grand Canyon continued to keep the Wolf Pack within reach, rallying each time Nevada tried to pull away.
Nevada finally put it away in the final two minutes, going on a 9-0 run to go up 71-61.
Jazz Johnson had 19 points and Caleb Martin finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Wolf Pack, off to their best start of the program's Division I era (1969-70).
Trey Drechsel had 16 points and Alessandro Lever 13 for Grand Canyon.
The Wolf Pack got off to a shaky start against the Sun Devils on Friday in Los Angeles, falling into an 11-point hole before rallying in the second half for a 72-66 win.
Playing in what felt an Antelopes' home game, Nevada found itself down 11-0 in the opening five minutes while missing its first five shots.
The Wolf Pack looked as if they were ready to run away with it, going on a 16-5 run to go up 27-22. The Antelopes wouldn't let them get out of reach, pulling to 34-32 at halftime on Matt Johnson's last-second jumper.
Nevada used a short burst to take a seven-point lead, yet couldn't shake the Antelopes and their roar-with-every-basket student section.
BIG PICTURE
Grand Canyon gave a Top 10 team all it could ask for, which should bode well for when the WAC season starts after the New Year.
Nevada had a short turnaround, played one of its worst games of the season in a hostile environment, yet still found a way to win.
UP NEXT
Nevada: Hosts South Dakota State on Saturday.
Grand Canyon: At Texas on Saturday.
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