Dec. 30, 2007
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - UNLV (4-9) almost pulled off a second incredible second half rally of the season, as the Lady Rebels rallied from down 18 at halftime to take a one-point lead with just over two minutes, but Long Island (11-2) scored the final nine points of the game to escape with a 63-55 victory on Sunday afternoon from the Cox Pavilion.
After a dismal performance from the floor in the first half, in which they shot just 21.2% (7-of-33) and trailed 39-21, the Lady Rebels started the second half on fire. UNLV hit its first six shots from the floor after the halftime break, including three from three-point range, which was the big key of the opening 19-5 run that brought the Lady Rebels within four, 44-40 with 12:42 to play.
Following a layup from Fanny Tirtiaux that brought UNLV within one at 49-48, Valerie Nainima knocked down a trey and added a jumper to push LIU back up by a 54-48 score with 7:47 on the clock. The Blackbirds would not score for almost the next six minutes however, and UNLV reeled off seven unanswered, the final three on a three-pointer from Erica Helms to give UNLV its first lead since early in the game, 55-54 with 2:28 left. LIU came back down and Sara Oblak hit a tough shot over Shamela Hampton for a one-point lead, and after a missed shot on the other end, Nainima banked in a short jumper to push the Blackbirds to a 58-55 edge with 1:23 to play. UNLV missed two shots on the other end, and were forced to foul, but LIU hit five of six at the line to seal the game.
UNLV began the game with a 7-2 edge three minutes into the game. LIU quickly answered back with a 14-2 run over a three-minute span, which included two three-pointers as well. The Blackbirds shot very well from the floor in the first half, knocking down 16-of-32 for 50%, and slowly increased their lead to enter halftime up 39-21.
Shamela Hampton and Sequoia Holmes both posted double-doubles to pace the Lady Rebels. Hampton scored a team-high 17 points and added 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season, while Holmes recorded 16 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. The next highest scorer was Harris with nine points, while Tirtiaux added eight. UNLV shot 32.3% (21-of-65) from the floor, and made just 7-of-13 at the line for 53.8%. The Lady Rebels were outrebounded by 48-38. They did hold a 16-6 edge on points off turnovers, partly due to turning the ball over a season-low 10 turnovers.
Nainima led LIU with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Oblak added 14 points and Mikaelar Whippy chipped in 10. The Blackbirds hit 24-of-57 from the floor (42.1%), and made nine treys in the game (9-of-27, 33.3%).
UNLV will have the next week off before returning to play with the start of Mountain West Conference play, when it hosts Colorado State on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 7 pm in the Cox Pavilion.
