Feb. 14, 2009
Box Score
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - UNLV suffered its worst offensive performance of the season, shooting just 26.3 percent while turning the ball over 19 times on the way to suffering an 85-55 loss at Colorado State in Mountain West Conference women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon at Moby Arena. The loss dropped the Lady Rebels to 10-14 on the season, 3-8 in the MWC, while CSU improved to 8-16, 3-8 in league action.
The halftime lead was 10, 40-30 for Colorado State. UNLV missed its chance to close within single digits after missing two close shots to begin the second half, and the Rams would go on a 14-2 run over a five-minute span, taking a 22-point lead, 54-32 with 13:43 to play. Following a three-pointer from Brittany Halberg to make the deficit 19 points, Colorado State reeled off a 23-9 scoring burst over a seven minute stretch, with the second of Chatil Van Grinsven's free throws making the score 77-44 with 4:46 on the clock.
UNLV's cold shooting started from the opening minutes, as it missed two of its first eight shots while falling behind 17-5 five minutes into the contest. CSU stretched its lead to as high as 18, 29-11 off a layup from Britney Minor with nine minutes left in the first half. With the Rams holding a 38-23 lead with 2:42 on the clock, UNLV closed the half scoring seven of the final nine points to trail by 10 going into the lockerroom.
The Lady Rebels finished the game shooting a season-low 25.9% (15-of-58), and made just 4-of-18 from three-point range for 22.2%. UNLV was outrebounded by 19, 50-31, its third-largest deficit of the season. Another key was bench play for the two teams, as the Lady Rebels' reserves were outscored 49-8.
Shamela Hampton paced UNLV with 18 points before fouling out. Jamie Smith was the only other player in double-figures with 12, and she added a team-high seven rebounds.
Four players finished in double-figures for CSU, with Bonnie Barbee leading the way with 18 points. Minor posted 14 points, while Zoi Simmons had 12 and Juanise Cornell 10. The Rams shot 47.8% (32-of-67) for the game, made 6-of-24 (25.0%) from behind the arc, and was 15-of-18 at the line for 83.3%.
UNLV will return to Las Vegas for its next game on Wednesday, Feb. 18, when it hosts Wyoming at 7 pm in the Cox Pavilion. The game will be part of UNLV's Pink Zone 2009 celebration, and all tickets are just $1.
