Nov. 30, 2010

Box Score

LINCOLN, Neb. (UNLVRebels.com) - No. 24 Nebraska hit six first-half three-pointers and used a 10-0 run to break open the game for a 12-point halftime lead on the way to a 65-41 victory over the UNLV Lady Rebels on Tuesday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. UNLV dropped to 4-2 on the season, while Nebraska remained undefeated at 6-0.

The Cornhuskers shot 40.9% (9-of-22) for the game from three-point range, and 41.2% from the floor overall, marking the first time an opponent has made over 40% against UNLV this season. The Lady Rebels meanwhile were held to a season-low 24% (15-of-50) shooting, and made 2-of-14 from three-point range for 14.3%.

Nebraska opened the game with the first seven points, and held a 13-4 lead at the 15:13 mark on a trey from Kellie McCann-Smith. The edge was 18-10 in favor of Nebraska when UNLV scored six unanswered over a 1:35 span. All six points came at the free throw line, with Jamie Smith's two with 5:31 to play bringing the Lady Rebels to within two, 18-16. Nebraska quickly pulled away with a 10-0 burst, which was started and ended by a pair of Jordan Hooper treys. After Kelli Thompson broke the UNLV drought with its first three-pointer of the game with 27 seconds to play, Hooper added a third trey at the halftime buzzer to put Nebraska up 31-19 at the break.

The first 10 minutes of the second half all went the Huskers' way, a 17-2 run that made the score 48-21 at the 10:20 mark. UNLV cut the lead under 20 several times, the last on a 4-0 run to close within 58-41, but the Huskers scored the game's final seven points to account for the final 24-point margin.

Thompson posted double-figures for the sixth straight game with a team-high 12, while Smith posted her second-straight double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. UNLV did hold a 44-31 edge on the boards, leading to a 12-3 advantage on second chance points. However, UNLV was also forced into 26 turnovers, giving the Huskers a 29-13 advantage on points off turnovers.

Hooper led Nebraska with 16 points, including four made three-pointers, while McCann-Smith also was in double-figures with 13.

UNLV will play a second-straight road game at San Jose State on Sunday at 2 pm.