Nov. 13, 2008
LAS VEGAS -
GAME 1 - Friday, November 14 7 pm
UNLV (0-0, 0-0 MWC)Head coach: Kathy Olivier (0-0, 1st year)Leading scorer: Sr./C Shamela Hampton (12.1 ppg)
vs.Sacramento State (0-0, 0-0 Big Sky)Head coach: Dan Muscatell (27-112, 6 years)Leading scorer: Sr./C Atty Boyer (12.6 ppg)
Cox Pavilion (2,500)Las VegasTV: NoneRadio: KSHP 1400AM (Bob Blum, Katy Barrett)Online: Live audio and live stats at UNLVRebels.com
UNLV women's basketball game notes vs. Sacramento State
It's the beginning of "A New Era" for UNLV this season, as former Lady Rebel Kathy Olivier has returned to her alma mater to take over as the eighth full-time head coach in school history. She will take her team to the court for the first time in 2008-09 on Friday night, as UNLV will host Sacramento State, the beginning of a five-game homestand. The game will tip-off at 7 pm in the Cox Pavilion.
All tickets are just $1, while its also Rebel Reunion night, as Lady Rebels of the past will be attending the game and will be honored at halftime. The game is also part of UNLV's food drive with Three Square, in which fans are asked to bring two canned food items to the game.
UNLV will play a total of 18 games this year on its home court, including 10 of 13 during the non-conference schedule. That advantage will be needed for the Lady Rebels, as they struggled last year to an 8-22 record, and were just 5-12 at home.
The good news for the team is that it returns four starters, and seven of its top eight scorers from 2007-08. The one loss however is a big one, as they will be without the services of Sequoia Holmes, the 2007-08 Mountain West Conference scoring champion who graduated this past May and went on to play both in the WNBA and overseas in Europe.
While UNLV returns four starters, Sacramento State can top that as it brings back all five from its 2007-08 squad, and its top five scorers as well. Just like the Lady Rebels, Sac State will be looking for an improvement this year coming off a 6-22 season.
UNLV is 27-7 all-time in season-openers, which includes a 73-57 win over Long Beach State last season. The Lady Rebels are also 27-7 all-time in home-openers, though this will be the first home opener to be played in the Cox Pavilion since the 2004-05 season.
