Nov. 21, 2003

Box Score

LAS VEGAS - UNLV used a 27-0 run in the first half and double-doubles from its two starting forwards to cruise to a 77-41 victory over Centenary in women's collegiate basketball action from the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday night in the season opener for both teams. The Lady Rebels improved to 25-5 all-time in both home and season openers and are now 106-36 all-time in the Thomas & Mack Center.

Junior forwards RanDee Henry and Sherry McCracklin both finished with double-doubles to pace the Lady Rebels. Henry, a transfer from Detroit Mercy, scored 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the floor and added 11 rebounds and four steals in her first game in an UNLV uniform. McCracklin posted her 10th career double-double with 21 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

A jumper from Centenary's Julie Danieles at the 16:11 mark of the first half gave the Ladies their first and only lead of the game, 7-6. That was the last offensive highlight of the half for Centenary, as UNLV held them scoreless for the next 9:56 of the game, while running off 27 unanswered points of their own for a commanding 33-7 lead. Centenary finally broke the drought on a pair of free throws from Tori Alloway at the 6:15 mark. The Lady Rebels, who forced 20 turnovers in the first half, would take a 40-16 lead into the break.

UNLV kept up the defensive pressure in the second half, extending its lead to as high as 37 three times, the last on a layup from Shana Coleman at the 3:53 mark to make the score 75-38.

Junior transfer guard Nikki Hitchens also finished in double figures for the Lady Rebels with 12 points, while adding six rebounds and four steals. Shana Coleman was impressive off the bench with six points, four rebounds, and four steals in 12 minutes of action. As a team, UNLV shot 37.5 percent (27-72), and 72.4 percent from the line (21-29). They outrebounded the Ladies 56-34, and recorded 19 steals while forcing 32 Centenary turnovers.

Centenary was led by Danieles with 14 points. Alexis Pettway added eight points, while Carly Melvin was the team's leading rebounder with seven.

Next for UNLV after the Centenary game will be its first road game of the year at PAC-10 rival UCLA on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion.