Dec. 28, 2008
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - Freshman forward Jamie Smith posted her third straight double-double and was one of four Lady Rebels in double figures as UNLV posted a 71-61 home victory over UC Riverside in women's collegiate basketball action on Sunday afternoon from the Cox Pavilion.
UNLV trailed by two at halftime, but opened the second half on a 20-4 run. Shamela Hampton's jumper 10 seconds in tied the score at 32-32, and following a basket from UCR's Kemie Nkele, the Lady Rebels scored the next 10 points, capped by a three-pointer from Erica Helms that made the score 42-34 with 16:21 to play. After another Nkele basket broke the scoring drought for the Highlands, UNLV answered back with eight more straight points. Raquel Jupiter's two free throws with 10:41 on the clock would make the score 50-36.
The Highlanders came within single digits just twice more, cutting it to seven and then eight points, but both times the Lady Rebels countered back with a basket to extend the advantage to 10. The lead grew to as high as 15 points, 69-54 on India Chaney's free throw with 1:53 on the clock.
It looked like it would be all UNLV in the game's opening minutes, with the Lady Rebels hitting their first three shots and opening up an 11-0 edge five minutes into the game. Down by 12, 16-4, UCR would rally with a 12-0 run to grab its first lead of the game, 18-16 with 8:03 left in the first half. The Lady Rebels would tie the game twice, but UCR took a 32-30 lead into the break.
Smith finished the game with 17 points and 14 rebounds, and was one of three Lady Rebels with four assists. Also in double-figures was Chaney with 14 points and seven assists, while Hampton and Helms both finished with 13 each. UNLV shot 38.7% (24-of-62) from the floor, was 7-of-22 (31.8%) from downtown, and made 16-of-25 at the line for 64.0%. UNLV did hold a slight rebounding edge, 44-43, and forced 16 turnovers.
Nkele led all scores with 21 points for UCR, and also posted 13 rebounds for a double-double. Jessie Schmuckal hit three treys and finished with 13 points, while Seyram Gbewonyo added 12 points for the Highlanders. UCR shot 36.9% (24-of-65) for the game, was 7-of-20 (35%) from three-point land, and made 6-of-11 at the line (54.5%).
UNLV returns to action on Tuesday, Dec. 30, hosting Utah State at 7 pm in the Cox Pavilion.
