• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

No. 21 Nevada looks to rebound from first loss vs. St. Mary's

Dec 12, 2006 - 3:24 PM Saint Mary's CA (6-4) at No. 21 Nevada (7-1) 10:05 pm EST

RENO, Nevada (Ticker) -- Even when he plays less than 100 percent, Nick Fazekas can still be difficult for opponents to handle.

No. 21 Nevada hopes Fazekas returns to full strength as it looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season Tuesday against St. Mary's.

A two-time Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Fazekas averages 21.8 points and 14.1 rebounds to rank among the nation's leaders. He is also shooting 59 percent (68-of-115) from the floor.

Despite playing with bruised ribs, Fazekas scored 16 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for the Wolf Pack, who had a 12-game home winning streak snapped with Saturday's 58-49 loss to Nevada-Las Vegas.

Ramon Sessions scored all 16 of his points in the second half for Nevada, which lost for just the second time in 23 regular-season contests. The Wolf Pack set a season low in points and shot just 35 percent (17-of-49).

Playing the opener of a three-game road trip, St. Mary's has split its last six outings, including Saturday's 65-57 triumph over Cal-State Bakersfield.

Diamon Simpson posted his second double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds and Ian O'Leary and Brett Collins added 12 points apiece for the Gaels, who committed just eight turnovers.

Collins scored 31 points to lead St. Mary's to last season's 89-80 win over Nevada and raise its record in the all-time series to 46-40.