Feb. 20, 2006

LAS VEGAS -

UNLV-Utah game notes
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The UNLV women's basketball team returns to action on Wednesday night at Utah at 6 pm (PST) in the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

The Lady Rebels (15-8, 7-5 MWC) are riding a two-game win streak, and are back to full strength with the return of Sherry McCracklin to the lineup. However, Wednesday night's game will be a tough challenge for UNLV, as they are facing their fourth top-20 opponent of the season in 19th-ranked Utah (19-5, 10-3). The Utes are one of the hottest teams in the nation, owning a six-game win streak, and having won 10 of their last 11. Utah also has a five-game win streak alive at home, but UNLV has had success at the Huntsman center before, as the Lady Rebels broke a 27-game Utah home win streak in 2004 with a 68-60 overtime win on March 4.

Utah was just 30 votes away from becoming the fourth team UNLV has played the week they were ranked 18th in the AP poll, as the Lady Rebels' other games against ranked teams this year have come at #18 DePaul, at #18 New Mexico, and at home against #18 BYU.

The magic number for Wednesday's game could be 60, as UNLV is 14-1 when scoring 60 or more points this year. Meanwhile, Utah has allowed 59 points or more just four times in conference play, and three of those four games were losses (at New Mexico, BYU, at TCU).

Formerly the MWC's top offense, UNLV now is at the top of the league in several defensive categories. The Lady Rebels are currently leading the conference in blocks (4.26 bpg), are second in steals (10.13 spg) and third in rebound margin (+5.1).