Senior guard Hallice Cooke added 15 points on a career-best five 3-pointers for the Wolf Pack (24-5, 13-2 MW). Junior forward Jordan Caroline also had 15 points, as Nevada won its fourth straight game and maintained its 1 1/2-game lead over second-place Boise State.

Junior forward Ryan Welage had 22 points and nine rebounds for the Spartans (3-23, 0-15), who lost their 15th consecutive contest. Junior center Oumar Barry scored 12 points and senior guard Jalen James had 11.

The Wolf Pack, who shot 44.3 percent from the field and made 14 of 37 3-point attempts, have defeated the Spartans seven straight times and in 19 of the past 20 meetings. San Jose State shot 42.9 percent and was 10-of-24 from long range.

Welage connected on 4 of 8 from behind the arc to tie Tim Pierce (153 from 2006-09) for most 3-pointers in school history. Welage also became the seventh San Jose State player with 1,200 career points, reaching that total with two free throws to conclude the scoring.

Stephens opened the second half with a 3-pointer to give Nevada a 16-point lead. He hit another one exactly eight minutes later to again make it a 16-point margin at 62-46.

San Jose State was within 67-57 after a basket by sophomore center Ashtin Chastain with 6:45 remaining before Stephens made two free throws 15 seconds later and then buried a 3-pointer to make it a 15-point lead with 6:03 left.

Welage hit a jumper to pull San Jose State within 72-61 with 5:05 left, but the Wolf Pack responded with a 8-2 spurt en route to closing out the victory.

Stephens and Cooke each scored 12 first-half points to help Nevada hold a 42-29 lead at the break.

Cooke drained three 3-pointers in a span of 1:49 to help the Wolf Pack to an early 17-9 advantage. Caroline's two free throws with 11:51 remaining pushed the lead into double digits for the first time at 25-14.

Stephens drained a 3-pointer in the final minute to push the margin to 14.

--Field Level Media