Nevada Downs Portland State in Exhibition Match

The Wolf Pack secured a 77-71 victory at the Lawlor Events Center on Friday.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Basketball

Nevada Downs Portland State in Exhibition Match

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Nevada defeated Portland State 77-71 in an exhibition basketball game held at the Lawlor Events Center. Elijah Price led the scoring effort with 21 points for the winning side.

Why it matters

This exhibition contest allows the team to test its rotation and performance metrics ahead of the upcoming regular season schedule. The game highlighted both shooting efficiency and rebounding as key factors for the squad moving forward.

Nevada shot 18-of-48 from the field while Portland State connected on 26-of-50 attempts. Nevada held a slight advantage on the glass with 34 rebounds compared to 30 for Portland State.

The players

Elijah Price

He is a key player for Nevada who recorded a team-high 21 points during the exhibition game.

Laughlin Hemsley

He is a contributing athlete for Nevada who scored 12 points in the recent victory.

Kejon Kensie

He is a player for Nevada who provided five points and two assists in the team's exhibition win.

The details

Nevada relied heavily on free throws to edge out the competition, capitalizing on 38 attempts from the charity stripe. Laughlin Hemsley added 12 points, while Kejon Kensie contributed five points and two assists to the effort.

The game occurred on October 25, 2026.
Nevada is scheduled to host Robert Morris on November 2, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This win maintains the historical momentum for Nevada in its series against Portland State. The performance sets the stage for the team to refine its offensive rhythm before the official home opener against Robert Morris.

Nevada's reliance on high-frequency free throw trips suggests a disciplined focus on drawing fouls to generate offense. The team recorded eight assists against nine turnovers, indicating a need for improved ball security heading into the regular season.

The takeaway

Exhibition games provide vital data for coaches to evaluate player efficiency in high-pressure scenarios. Fans should monitor free-throw performance in future games as a primary indicator of the team's ability to maintain leads.