Jan. 20, 2007

Box Score

PROVO, Utah - UNLV (8-9, 2-3) outplayed BYU (14-4, 5-0) in almost every category, but couldn't overcome nine three-pointers from the host Cougars in a 64-59 loss in Mountain West Conference women's basketball action from the Marriott Center.

UNLV would finish the game with a better field goal percentage (42% to 41.1%), more rebounds (36-35), and shot 15-19 (78.9%) while BYU was just 9-of-22 (40.9%). The Lady Rebels couldn't match the Cougars from behind the arc however, as they were 9-of-29 for the game, while UNLV made just 2-of-6.

The Lady Rebels made several rallies during the game after BYU posted double-digit leads. The difference however turned out to be the opening minutes of the second half. After UNLV cut an 11-point lead to five thanks to a 9-2 run over the final minutes of the first half, the Cougars nailed three treys in the first two minutes after halftime, and added a basket from Dani Wright for another 11-point edge.

UNLV cut the lead to five after six straight points, and the lead remained between three and eight for the next eight minutes. Faye Muller hit a second consecutive jumper to make the score 47-44, but Lauren Riley answered on the other end with a jumper, and Wright buried a three-pointer for a 52-44 BYU edge with 5:26 to play. Another BYU three-pointer and a free throw from Melinda Johnsen gave the Cougars a 56-46 lead with 3:04 on the clock.

Thanks to poor free throw shooting from BYU, UNLV made a final rally, as two free throws from Shamela Hampton started a 9-3 run, capped by a layup from Kameca Simmons to close UNLV within four, 61-57 with 23 seconds left. The Cougars closed out the win however by making three of four at the line for the win.

It was a low scoring game to begin, with the contest tied at 6-6 nine minutes in. The score was tied again at 12-12 with 7:35 to play in the half when BYU scored 11 unanswered points. A jumper from Shawnee Slade put BYU up 23-12 with 2:36 on the clock, before UNLV answered back with six straight points. Ashley Cheesman stopped the run with a layup with seven seconds on the clock, but Simmons unleashed a 35-foot shot at the buzzer that bounced on the rim three times before falling in to make the score 25-21.

Hampton led UNLV with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Sequoia Holmes added 14 points and eight rebounds as well. Simmons also posted double figures, scoring 11 off the bench.

Gillespie was the only Cougar in double figures, as she was 5-of-14 from three-point range and added two free throws for 17 points. Wright was next with nine points, while four players had eight each.

UNLV continues on the road next week, taking on Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 6 pm.