Nov. 12, 2010
Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV outrebounded Southern Utah by 22 and held a 34-18 edge on points in the paint as the Lady Rebels rolled to a 76-42 victory in the season opener for both teams in women's collegiate basketball action on Friday night from the Thomas & Mack Center. The 34-point victory was the largest for UNLV since a 73-39 win over Jackson State on Dec. 17, 2005 in Las Vegas.
The much taller Lady Rebel squad took control quickly, as junior college transfer Lenita Sanford scored the season's first basket 14 seconds into the game. With the score 9-4 in favor of the home squad, a three-pointer from India Chaney started a 16-2 run over a six-minute span. Sandrine Nzeukou capped the run with a pair of free throws at the 8:56 mark to make the score 25-6 in favor of UNLV. The Lady Rebels would lead by as much as 21 in the first half, and took a 38-20 lead into halftime after holding the Thunderbirds to just 24.1% shooting (7-of-29) for the opening stanza.
The second half saw the Lady Rebels use their bench early and often, as all 15 players on the roster saw action, highlighted by eight points and six rebounds from Markiell Styles. With the edge at 22 for UNLV, 53-31 at the 11:59 mark, Kelli Thompson drained three treys over the next four minutes. Her final shot from behind the arc gave UNLV a 66-36 advantage with 7:10 to play in the game. The lead grew to as high as 34 twice, including on a layup by freshman Ta'Nitra Byrd in the final seconds.
Junior Jamie Smith posted her 23rd career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, 10 of which came in the first half. Sanford also scored 14 points, and added seven rebounds, four blocks and three steals in her first game as a Lady Rebel. Thompson was the third player in double-figures for UNLV with 13 points, while Mia Bell posted seven assists for the night. UNLV shot 35.4% (28-of-79) from the floor, made 6-of-22 from three-point range for 27.3%, and knocked down 14-of-19 at the free throw line for 73.7%. The Lady Rebels held a commanding 58-36 edge on the boards, and also dished out 20 assists to 11 turnovers. UNLV also came up with eight blocks and 11 steals for the night.
Challis Pascucci (16 points) and Caitlyn Sears (13) combined for 29 of the Thunderbirds' 42 total points. SUU was held to 28.6% (16-of-56) for the game from the field, and was forced into 22 turnovers, leading to a 23-10 edge on points off turnovers for UNLV.
The Lady Rebels will return to action next week when they host San Diego on Friday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 pm in the Cox Pavilion.
