Oct. 13, 2005

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The UNLV Lady Rebels were picked to finish fourth as the Mountain West Conference announced its 2005-06 preseason women's basketball poll and all-conference team Thursday at its Basketball Media Day held at the University Park Marriott. The voting panel consisted of the league's nine head coaches and select women's basketball media.

Sheena Moore, who helped the Lady Rebels advance to the WNIT for their fifth-straight postseason appearance last year, was selected to the preseason All-MWC team. Moore was named to the All-MWC second team last season after leading the Lady Rebels in scoring (14.6 ppg), assists (3.65 apg) and free-throw percentage (80.6%).

UNLV received 137 points, finishing behind Utah, New Mexico and conference new comer TCU. Utah received 23 of 26 first-place votes and 214 total points. New Mexico had two first-place votes and finished second with 180 points, followed by TCU with one first-place vote and 164 points. UNLV placed fourth, followed by Colorado State (117 points), BYU (107 points), Wyoming (90 points), San Diego State (45 points) and Air Force (31 points).

Utah senior forward Kim Smith earned Top Returning Player honors for the third straight year, while Faye Muller of UNLV was named Top Newcomer. Four of the nine MWC teams were represented on the all-conference team, including four seniors and one sophomore. Smith, selected to the State Farm Wade Trophy and John R. Wooden preseason lists earlier this fall, is a three-time Kodak/WBCA honorable mention All-American. Smith was joined on the preseason all-MWC team by teammate and 2005 MWC Co-Player of the Year, Shona Thorburn, Dionne Marsh of New Mexico, Melissa Dennett of Colorado State and Moore.

2005-06 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL

2005-06 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

Top Returning Player Kim Smith, Sr., F, Utah

Top Newcomer Faye Muller, Jr., F, UNLV

PRESEASON ALL-MWC TEAM PLAYER PROFILES

Kim Smith, Sr., F, Utah - Three-time MWC Player of the Year...Only player in MWC history to earn conference Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in the same season (2002-03)...Also a three-time Kodak All-America honorable mention selection...An Associated Press honorable mention All-American in 2005...Member of Canada's Senior National Team...Played in 96 games during her career, and has scored in double figures in 92 contests...Set Utah single-season scoring record with 606 points in 2004-05...On the State Farm Wade Trophy and John R. Wooden award preseason watch lists.

Shona Thorburn, Sr., G, Utah - Named MWC Co-Player of the Year with teammate Kim Smith last season...Selected as a Kodak/WBCA All-America honorable mention last season...Set a MWC and Utah single-season assist record with 221 in 2005...Has also racked up more than 1,000 points (1,330) and 500 boards (559) in her career.

Sheena Moore, Sr., G, UNLV - Earned all-MWC second-team honors in 2004-05 after leading the Lady Rebels in scoring (14.6 ppg), assists (3.65 apg) and free-throw percentage (80.6%)...Earned all-tournament team honors four separate times in 2004-05, at the WBCA/BTI Classic, Lady Rebel Shootout, Duel in the Desert and the MWC Championship...Scored double figures in 27 of 31 games last year, including a career-high 34 points against Minnesota.

Dionne Marsh, So., F, New Mexico - MWC Newcomer of the Year and was an all-MWC third-team selection as a freshman in 2004-05...Chosen as the 2005 MWC Championship MVP after averaging 21.3 ppg and 8.7 rpg in three tournament games...Scored in double figures in every MWC league game, averaging 15.4 ppg in league contests.

Melissa Dennett, Sr., F, Colorado State - Second-team all-MWC selection in 2004-05, leading the Rams in scoring (14.5 ppg) and rebounding (8.0 rpg)...One of just two Rams to start every game, ranking first in the league in field-goal percentage (54.1 percent), second in blocked shots (1.11 bpg), fifth in scoring (14.5 ppg) and third in rebounding (8.1 rpg)...Earned MWC Player of the Week honors twice in 2004-05 (November 22 and January 24).