RENO, Nev. -- Sacramento State used a 12-0 run late in the second half to draw within five points of Nevada's lead, but could not get closer in a 77-63 loss to the Wolf Pack on Tuesday evening at Lawlor Events Center.

The game marked the season opener for both teams. This evening also begins a stretch that will see Sacramento State play seven of its first eight games on the road.

After Nevada jumped out to its largest lead of the night at 17 points (61-44) with 9:42 to play, the Hornets immediately responded with a 12-0 run to trim the deficit to five points (61-56) with seven minutes remaining. Sophomore Duncan Powell sparked the run with seven points as part of his 11-point second half.

The two teams would exchange buckets until a Powell turnaround jumper drew the Hornets within, 67-61, at the 4:32 mark. However, Nevada would close the final 3:27 on a 10-2 run to provide the final outcome.

The Hornets, who have 11 new players on this year's 15-man roster, started five of those newcomers and used a 10-man rotation. Sacramento State was whistled for 24 fouls, and multiple players were dealing with foul trouble throughout the contest. The Wolf Pack took advantage, going to the free throw line 27 times (21-for-27) compared to eight for Sacramento State (6-for-8). That 15-point free throw disparity loomed large in a 14-point game.

Of the Hornets' 23 made buckets, 11 came from distance where the team hit 11-of-33 from the 3-point line. Six different Sacramento State players hit at least one three-ball, including 3-for-7 from Zee Hamoda who finished with 11 points in his Hornet debut.

Sacramento State trailed at the break, 39-30, and was outscored in the second by a 38-33 margin. Nevada shot 44% (26-59) from the field while the Hornets shot 37% (23-62). The Wolf Pack also turned 13 Sacramento State turnovers into a 16-7 advantage in points off miscues. Nevada held a small 40-37 rebounding edge, and both teams had 11 offensive rebounds.

Powell, a transfer from North Carolina A&T, finished with team highs in points (15), rebounds (8) and minutes (30). He was 6-for-11 from the field, and dropped in 11 points on 4-of-6 FG after halftime. Hamoda fouled out late in the contest while Powell had four fouls. All five Sacramento State starters were whistled for at least three fouls.

Of the Hornets' top seven scorers in tonight's game, six are brand new to the program. Returner Austin Patterson was the team's third leading scorer with nine points on 3-for-6 from distance. A trio of freshmen scored their first collegiate points in 7-foot center Bowyn Beatty (6 points, 7 rebounds), Alex Kovatchev (8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) and Bailey Nunn (5 points, 2 assists).

Point guard Brandon Betson finished with five points, four assists and a pair of rebounds. Akol Mawein and Emil Skytta both had two points and two boards.

Tonight marked the Hornets' first matchup against Nevada since 2005.

Sacramento State returns to action this Friday at Stanford. Tip is 6 p.m.