Dec. 18, 2010
Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - After rallying from four down in the final minute to force overtime, poor free throw shooting cost UNLV as it made just three of seven in the extra period in a 59-54 loss to South Florida on the first day of the BTI Classic on Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center in women's collegiate basketball action. The loss, which marked the first time this season UNLV has lost two in a row, dropped its record to 5-4, while the Bulls improved to 8-4. In the day's other game, No. 23 Texas took down SMU 91-73.
Both teams turned in strong defensive performances on the day, as South Florida was held to 32.4% shooting (23-of-71), while the Lady Rebels knocked in just 18-of-57 for 31.6%. UNLV held a 49-47 edge on the board, but the Bulls were able to outscore the Lady Rebels in second chance points by an 18-7 margin.
UNLV held a 21-19 halftime lead, but South Florida opened up the second half on a 9-2 burst, going up 30-23 on a jumper from Kaneisha Sauders. UNLV slowly cut into the lead, and a 9-2 run, keyed by five straight from Kelli Thompson, gave UNLV a 36-34 lead thanks to a layup from Sandrine Nzeukou at 10:55 to go in the half.
That would turn out to be the last lead of the game for the Lady Rebels. A three-point play gave USF a one-point lead, which stretched to six points on an Andrea Smith jumper with 6:12 to go, 43-37. UNLV managed to tie the game at 45-45 on a layup from Thompson, only to see USF reel off four straight. The Bulls seemed to have the game in hand when they rebounded a missed UNLV trey in the final 30 seconds while holding a four-point lead. However, a turnover led to another Thompson layup, and after USF was fouled, Saunders missed the front end of an one-and-one. UNLV rebounded, and Lenita Sanford made a 15-foot jumper to tie the game with 10 seconds left. USF's last shot in the second half was short, sending the game to overtime.
Porche Grant scored the first four points of the overtime period, while UNLV went just two-of-four from the line to trail 53-51. The lead was four in favor of USF when Jamie Smith went 1-for-2 at the line to bring UNLV within 57-54. The Lady Rebels then forced a turnover on the USF inbounds play, but would turn the ball over while looking for a game-tying shot, and the Bulls made two more free throws to seal the win.
Thompson paced UNLV with 19 points, the only Lady Reb in double-figures. Smith had a team-high 13 rebounds, while Sanford added four blocks. The Lady Rebels made 2-of-12 from three-point range for 16.7%, and were 16-of-25 from the free throw line for 64%.
USF was paced by Andrea Smith's 19 points. Saunders added 12, while Daleisha Carn and Grant both had 11. Grant also set a new Thomas & Mack Center record with her 20 rebounds. USF made 1-of-9 from three-point range on the day for 11.1%, and was 12-of-16 from the free throw line (75%).
UNLV will return to action on Sunday for its second game in the BTI Classic, taking on Texas at 7:30 pm. The first game will see SMU and USF play at 5 pm.