RENO, Nev. — Mac Hopson and Luciano de Souza each scored 16 points and the Idaho Vandals turned back the Nevada Wolf Pack, 78-73, tonight in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Kashif Watson added 13 points as Idaho (7-7, 1-0) snapped a nine-game losing streak to Nevada.

Nevada (7-7, 0-1) was led by Brandon Fields' 19 points. Malik Cooke added 13 for the Wolf Pack.

Idaho trailed 65-62 with 2:48 to play after a three-point play by Cooke. Hopson then drove the lane for a bucket and Watson hit a pair of free throws and a short jumper in the lane for a 66-65 Idaho lead with 1:53 to go.

De Souza had a dunk for a 71-65 Idaho lead with 31 seconds to play.

Idaho led 35-33 at halftime. De Souza led Idaho with 11 points at halftime on the strength of three 3-pointers.

Marvin Jefferson scored eight points inside and De Souza hit a 3-pointer as the Vandals jumped out to a 15-3 lead six minutes into the game. Fields scored 10 of Nevada's first 14 points to keep the game close early.