After watching his team play a sluggish first half Sunday night against Iona, Nevada basketball coach Eric Musselman delivered what he called an “overly emotional” halftime speech.
“We’re at home and we have a great crowd and we’re not giving them anything to cheer about,” Musselman told his players. “You have to do something to create energy in your building.”
The Wolf Pack wasted little time in responding to that message and giving the 6,375 fans who filed into Lawlor Events Center ample reason to get on their feet and scream. Nevada, which trailed 44-34 at halftime, went on a 21-4 run over a 6-minute, 31-second stretch early in the second half to blow past Iona before pasting the Gaels with a 91-76 victory for its third home win in seven days.