Nov. 21, 2010
Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV is off to its second 3-0 start in the past three seasons after a 67-54 victory over in-state rival Nevada, Reno on Sunday afternoon in women's collegiate basketball action from the Thomas & Mack Center. A 15-0 run at the end of the first half broke open a tight game, and UNLV led by as much as 19 points in the second half on the way to posting its third straight win over the Wolf Pack, who had entered the game at 3-0.
UNLV's defensive pressure was the key to the victory, as the Lady Rebels held UNR to 28 points under its season scoring average. The Wolf Pack were also shooting 48% on the season over the first three games, but made just 17-of-61 from the floor for 27.9%.
Both teams started out a little sluggish on offense, with UNLV holding a 6-2 lead five minutes into the game. An 8-1 run gave UNR a 10-7 advantage, thanks to a three-pointer from Johnna Ward at the 13:16 mark. UNLV would grab the lead back before another run, this time 8-0, put the Wolf Pack up 20-17 with 6:07 to go on a layup from Amber Smith.
Kelli Thompson then took over for UNLV by scoring the game's next eight points, which ignited a 15-0 run by the Lady Rebels over a 4:36 span. A steal and layup from India Chaney capped the run, putting UNLV up 32-20 with 1:31 to play in the first. UNR scored the final three points of the half to close within 32-23 at halftime.
The Wolf Pack made one run in the second half, a three-point play and a three-pointer to close within 37-32 with 15:53 to go in the game. UNLV quickly answered back with six straight points to go back up 11, 43-32 on Markiell Styles' tip-in. UNR came within nine twice more, the last on a jumper by Amanda Johnson with 12 minutes to play to make the score 45-36. A 10-1 UNLV spurt, featuring two treys from Thompson and one from Chaney, put UNLV up by 18, and a pair of Erica Helms free throws gave the Lady Rebels their largest lead of the day, 63-44 with five minutes left.
Thompson paced UNLV with 17 points, while Lenita Sanford just missed her first career double-double, with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Chaney added 11 points off the bench, and Mia Bell set a new career-high with nine assists. As a team, UNLV shot 35.5% (22-of-62), was 5-of-15 from three-point range for 33.3%, and made 18-of-26 at the free throw line for 69.2%. UNLV held a 48-45 edge on the boards, and a 24-14 advantage on points off the bench.
Tahnee Robinson scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Wolf Pack. Kayla Williams was the next highest scorer with nine points, while Shavon Moore (12 rebounds) was held to three points on 1-of-11 shooting.
UNLV breaks for Thanksgiving before returning to action on Friday-Saturday, Nov. 26-27 by hosting the Hyatt Place Lady Rebel Round-Up in the Cox Pavilion. UNLV opens up against Oregon State on Friday at 7:30 pm, while the first game of the day will see Rutgers face Pacific. The consolation and championship games will be played on Saturday at 5 pm and 7:30 pm, respectively.
