Dec. 19, 2008

Box Score

LAS VEGAS - UNLV's Shamela Hampton and Jamie Smith both posted double-doubles as the Lady Rebels cruised past Cal State Northridge 88-69 in the second game of the Desert Draw at UNLV on Friday afternoon from the Cox Pavilion. The 19-point win improved UNLV to 5-4 on the year, and sends them to Saturday's championship game, where it will meet 22nd-ranked Oklahoma State at 3:30 pm.

Hampton finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for UNLV, while Smith added 13 points and a career-best 14 rebounds for the double-double, also the first of her career. They were two of four players to finish in double-figures for the Lady Rebels, who shot 45.2% (28-of-62) from the floor for the night while knocking in eight three-pointers. UNLV shot a season-high 75% (24-of-32) from the line, and held a 50-38 rebounding advantage.

The game was tied at 4-4 two minutes in before UNLV ran off a 17-2 run over just a four-minute span. Latoya Hunt's layup with 14:20 on the clock capped the run, making the score 21-6. The lead increased to as high as 23, 40-17, on a pair of Erica Helms free throws at the 5:38 mark, and the Lady Rebels would take a 50-32 edge into halftime.

The Matadors (1-9) attempted to rally in the second half following a basket from Hampton that opened the half, as the visitors reeled off nine unanswered points. Ashley Blake's trey at 17:17 ended the run, bringing Northridge within 11 points, 52-41. Helms answered right back for UNLV with a three-pointer and a pair of free throws, part of a 13-1 run. UNLV's largest lead of 29 points came with 5:59 to play off a Hampton layup, which made the score 80-51.

Also scoring in double figures for UNLV was Helms with a team-high 18 points and Brittany Halberg with 12 points. For the Matadors, Blake finished with a game-high 20 points, and was followed by Whitney Ligon with 19. Northridge was held to 38.2% (26-of-68) form the floor, and made just 4-of-20 from downtown (20%).

Northridge will play in Saturday's 1 pm consolation game against Southern Miss, who lost to Oklahoma State 75-72.