Jan. 9, 2008

Box Score

LAS VEGAS - UNLV nearly blew a 13-point second half lead, but made five straight free throws in the final two minutes to break a three-game losing streak with a 57-55 victory over Colorado State in Mountain West Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday night from the Cox Pavilion. In the conference opener for both teams, the Lady Rebels extended their win streak over CSU to six games, and improved to 5-9 on the season, while the Rams dropped to 2-12.

The Lady Rebels began the second half with a 28-22 edge, and slowly increased the lead to double-digits, taking a 36-26 lead on Sequoia Holmes' layup with 15:19 to play. UNLV posted its largest lead of the game, 50-37, following a three-point play from Brittany Halberg with 9:10 left in the second half. The Rams then started a rally, as Juanise Cornell's layup was followed by back-to-back treys from Bonnie Barbee and Emily Neal. Kandy Beemer nailed a three-pointer with 5:44 to go, completing a 13-0 run from CSU and tying the score at 50-50.

Following a Halberg layup, the Rams grabbed the lead thanks to three straight free throws, with two from Cornell making the score 53-52 with three minutes on the clock. Both teams then missed shots on their next possession, and Halberg was fouled going to the basket. She made both free throws for a 54-53 lead, and after another missed CSU attempt, Shamela Hampton was fouled and she made both free throws for a 56-53 UNLV edge with 1:29 to play. Cornell converted a layup with 18 seconds left and was fouled, but missed the potential tying free throw. Shannon Oberg would convert the first of two free throws at the other end for a 57-55 lead for the Lady Rebels with just seven seconds to go, and CSU's final attempt hit the side of the backboard.

CSU held an early 7-3 lead, and its largest lead of the game was at 20-12 with 5:53 to play in the first half. Holmes and Latoya Hunt then sparked UNLV's 14-0 run, as Holmes scored six points, while Hunt posted two layups, a steal, and a block during that stretch. Fanny Tirtiaux then hit a leaning jumper as the clock ran down to give UNLV the six-point halftime edge.

Holmes led UNLV with game-highs of 13 points and nine rebounds. She also added three assists and four steals. Halberg joined her in double-figures with 12 points and six rebounds, while Hampton posted seven points and eight rebounds. UNLV shot 35.8% (19-of-53) from the floor, and was just 2-of-16 from downtown for 12.5%. The Lady Rebels made up for their poor long range shooting by taking advantage of their trips to the line, making a season-high 89.5% (17-of-19).

Free throw shooting meanwhile hurt the Rams' chances, as they were just 5-of-15 for 33.3%, and in face, made a higher percentage from the three-point line, making 8-of-22 for 36.4%. For the game, CSU made 21-of-54 for 38.9%. Leading the team was Sara Hunter with 11 points, while Cornell poured in 10 points and seven rebounds. They were outrebounded by UNLV 42-34, and turned the ball over 17 times as well.

UNLV returns to action on Saturday, hosting Air Force at 7 pm in the Cox Pavilion.