Jan. 5, 2006

Box Score

LAS VEGAS - UNLV shot over 62% in the second half and never trailed in the game to snap Wyoming's eight-game win streak in a 65-56 victory in the Mountain West Conference women's basketball opener for both teams on Thursday night from the Cox Pavilion. With the win, the Lady Rebels improved to 9-3 overall, while Wyoming fell to 10-2 on the season.

The Lady Rebels held a 24-18 halftime lead, and scored seven of the first nine points of the second half to stake out to a 31-20 advantage. The lead grew to 12, 37-25, but UNLV foul trouble helped Wyoming stay in the game. Reaching the bonus just seven minutes into the second half, the Cowgirls hit five straight free throws, and a three-pointer from Dominique Sisk brought Wyoming to within four, 37-33 with 11:09 to play. Kameca Simmons then took over the game for UNLV, scoring four straight points to start a 9-2 spurt for the Lady Rebels. Simmons ended the run with a three-point play as well, pushing the lead back to double-digits at 46-35.

Wyoming made a final run in the final five minutes, with five straight points from Erin Hicks and a layup from Lorissa Ewing to make the score 55-49 with 2:44 on the clock. Two straight baskets from Sheena Moore and Sequoia Holmes moved the lead back to 10, 59-49, and the Cowgirls would come no closer then eight the rest of the way.

UNLV scored the first five points of the game, and actually held Wyoming to just single digits on the scoreboard for the first 14 minutes of the game. The Lady Rebels led 24-15, before Sisk scored the last three points of the half to cut the advantage down to six points.

Moore posted a team-high 17 points and seven assists, while Sherry McCracklin added a season-high 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Holmes also finished in double figures with 11 points. UNLV shot 46% for the game, including 62.5% (15-of-24) in the second half. They were also 18-of-25 at the line for 72%. UNLV held a 40-31 edge on the boards, and finished with a season-low 14 turnovers.

Hicks paced the Cowgirls with 17 points, and was 10-of-10 at the line, while Jodi Bolerjack posted 14 points. Wyoming was held to 30.2% (16-of-53) from the floor, and hit just 4-of-23 from behind the arc. The Cowgirls did connect on 20-of-25 attempts from the free throw line for 80%.

UNLV has the weekend off, and will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at BYU in Provo, Utah, with a 6 pm (PST) tipoff.