Dec. 18, 2005
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - Texas A&M shot 56% in the second half and forced 29 turnovers in a 73-48 win over UNLV in the Scarlet championship game of the second annual Duel In The Desert Sunday night in the Cox Pavilion. The Lady Rebels, who lost for the first time at home this season, fell to 6-3 overall, while the Aggies improved to 6-2.
In the day's other action, 13th-ranked Notre Dame topped No. 22 Utah 68-55 in the Gray championship game, while No. 23 NC State took care of Arkansas State 80-59 in the Gray consolation game. Detroit was a 78-64 winner over Jackson State in the Scarlet consolation game.
Though UNLV missed seven of its first 11 shots and had six turnovers in the first 10 minutes, the deficit was just two, 14-12, after a tip-in by Kameca Simmons with 10:05 to play. The Lady Rebels would score just two more points over the next eight minutes, and the Aggies used an 18-2 run to take control of the game, as a three-point play from Takia Starks made the score 32-14 with 2:42 to play in the half. Texas A&M would lead 35-22 at the half, thanks to a 19-8 edge on points off turnovers, as UNLV was forced into 14. The Aggies also took advantage of UNLV foul trouble, as both Simmons and Sequoia Holmes picked up three in the opening half.
After turning the ball over just four times in the first half, Texas A&M was forced into 15 in the second half. However, UNLV was not able to cut into the lead, shooting just 24% in the second half, while the Aggies hit 14-of-25 for 56%. Two free throws from Sherry McCracklin to open the half brought UNLV within 11, 35-24, but Texas A&M would not falter. Holding a 46-32 edge, a three-pointer from Starks ignited an 11-0 run to put the game out of reach with a 58-33 edge with 7:47 to play.
Sheena Moroe led UNLV with 15 points, while McCracklin added eight points and 10 rebounds. Both players were named to the all-tournament team. The Lady Rebels were held to 29.2% shooting from the floor, and were just 3-of-17 from behind the arc. UNLV did hold a 38-34 edge on the boards, and finished with 12 steals and seven blocks.
Starks scored a game-high 16 points to pace the Aggies, and was also named to the all-tournament team. Tournament MVP Tamea Scales posted 10 points and six rebounds, while Erica Roy also finished with 10 points for Texas A&M, who shot 47.2% for the game, and were 5-of-10 from three-point range.
UNLV breaks for the Christmas holidays, before returning to action on Thursday, Dec. 29 against Troy at 5 pm in the Thomas & Mack Center.
