Jan. 4, 2006

LAS VEGAS -

UNLV-Wyoming game notes
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After posting an 8-3 record during their non-conference schedule, the UNLV women's basketball team is ready to open Mountain West play Thursday night against Wyoming, who comes in as one of the hottest teams in the nation. The game will tip off at 7 pm in the Cox Pavilion.

The Cowgirls are 10-1, and have won eight straight, tied for 12th longest active streak in the NCAA. However, UNLV is 9-1 all-time against Wyoming in Las Vegas, with the lone loss coming 10 years ago, a 71-54 Cowgirl win on Jan. 2, 1996, and the Lady Rebels have won the next eight meetings on their home court.

The Lady Rebels were picked to finish fourth in the preseason MWC poll, while Wyoming was selected seventh, in what looks to be one of the most competitive years in the league, with six teams currently in the RPI top 80.

UNLV is 3-3 all-time in conference openers, and have won two straight over Wyoming, including last year's 70-66 win in Las Vegas. The Lady Rebels were 5-2 at home last year in MWC play.

Though the Lady Rebels' scoring has dropped off this season, with a 67.2 ppg average through 11 games to rank fifth in the MWC after leading the league in scoring in 2003-04 and 2004-05, UNLV is at the top of the league in several defensive categories. The Lady Rebels are currently leading the conference in blocks (5.3 bpg), and second in both steals (11.5 spg), and rebound margin at +8.5.

With their win over Lamar, the Lady Rebels are now just seven wins away from their 600th win in program history, a mark only 34 schools have reached in NCAA history.