Nov. 16, 2005

LAS VEGAS -

UNLV game notes vs. Alabama State
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For the second straight year the UNLV women's basketball team opens its season away from Las Vegas, as the Lady Rebels begin play in the DePaul Invitational on Friday against Alabama State in Chicago. The game will tip-off at 3:30 pm (PST), and will be available on the radio on tape-delay on KSHP 1400 AM at 7 pm. UNLV will then play either Harvard or 18th-ranked DePaul on Saturday in either the consolation or championship game, at either 3:30 pm or 5:30 pm (PST).

This is the first of five games away from Las Vegas in the first three weeks of the season, as head coach Regina Miller wanted to test the Lady Rebels early this season after their struggles on the road in 2004-05.

Miller will have the advantage of fielding perhaps her deepest team in her eight years at the helm of the Lady Rebels. UNLV not only returns four starters from last year, the team also will enjoy the return of Sherry McCracklin, a honorable mention All-American in 2003-04 who missed all of last season with an ankle injury but is ready to lead the Lady Rebels back to the NCAAs.

The Lady Rebels will break in five newcomers this year, including four post players all 6-3 or taller. Key among them is 6-3 junior forward Faye Muller, a two-time all-region selection at Northeastern JC who was also named Mountain West Conference Preseason Newcomer of the Year.

With their returnees and newcomers in the post, the Lady Rebels will look to go very deep and could use a 10-12 player rotation. Boasting some of the top offensive weapons in the league, UNLV has led the conference in scoring the past two seasons and looks to continue that trend in 2005-06.

This weekend's games will also serve as a homecoming for two of the Lady Rebels, McCracklin and junior forward Kisha Lee. McCracklin played for Hillcrest High in Hazel Crest, Ill., about 45 minutes from Chicago, while Lee played for Chicago's Carver High.