Nevada’s heavily anticipated season started on Friday night with an 81-63 loss at No. 17 St. Mary’s.
The Gaels dominated in the paint, where they outscored the Pack, 56-20. As a result, the hosts shot 60 percent from the field (33-of-55), compared to Nevada’s 46.8 percent (22-of-47).
St. Mary’s big man Jock Landale had a career night, going for 33 points and grabbing a game-high nine rebounds.
Marcus Marshall led Nevada with 25 points on 8-of-20 shooting, 4-of-12 from behind the arc. All but four his points came after the half. It was Marshall’s first career game for Nevada, after sitting out last year due to NCAA transfer rules.
Cam Oliver (13 points) and D.J. Fenner (12 points) also reached double figures in the defat.
Nevada trailed just 24-22 with seven minutes left in the first half when Oliver had to leave with his second foul. As Oliver watched from the bench, the Gaels closed the half on an 18-5 run to take a 42-29 lead to the locker room.
The deficit remained in double digits the rest of the way.
The Pack plays its home opener on Monday night against another West Coast Conference team, Loyola Marymount. Tip is at 7 p.m.
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