Dec. 29, 2010
Box Score
HONOLULU, Hawaii (UNLVRebels.com) - A hot shooting UNLV squad hit nine of its first 13 attempts from three-point range to open up a 32-point halftime lead on the way to a 93-46 rout of Columbia on Wednesday night in the second game of the Pepsi Rainbow Wahine Invitational in women's college basketball action at the Stan Sheriff Center. The win broke a five-game losing streak for UNLV, improving its record to 6-7, while Columbia dropped to 0-11.
The Lady Rebels scored 54 points in the first half, the most by a UNLV squad since scoring 56 against Central Connecticut State on Dec. 30, 2004 in Las Vegas in what was a 92-52 victory. UNLV also tied a school record with 12 three-pointers made, out of 22 attempts. The 93 points is the most in a game since a 97-92 win over Sacramento State in an overtime win on Nov. 19, 2008, and the most in regulation since a 93-55 win over Cal State Fullerton on Nov. 16, 2001.
Columbia held an early 5-2 lead, but Hawaii native Jamie Smith started an 11-0 run with a pair of free throws and a three-pointer. Kelli Thompson then hit back-to-back treys to put UNLV up 13-5 at the 15:14 mark. The lead was 23-15 in favor of UNLV, and with Columbia continuing to play a packed in zone, the Lady Rebels took advantage of the open looks from outside. A three-pointer from Erica Helms ignited a 19-1 run over the next five minutes that blew the game open. UNLV hit four three-pointers during the run, from three different players, and went up 42-16 on a jumper from Sandrine Nzeukou at the 4:57 mark of the first half. UNLV would take a 54-22 lead into halftime, and the closest the Lions would come in the second half was 33 points.
UNLV was paced by Thompson's 22 points. She was 6-of-9 from three-point range, which ties for the fifth-best percentage in a game in school history, while her six treys is also tied for fourth-most in a game. Smith was next with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Markiell Styles posted 11 points and seven rebounds. Also in double-figures was Nzeukou and India Chaney, both with 10 each. That marked the first time UNLV had placed five players in double figures in a game since a 68-55 win over Utah on Feb. 25, 2009.
The Lady Rebels shot a season-high 50.9% (29-of-57) and was 23-of-29 from the line for 79.3%. UNLV held a 51-31 advantage on the boards as well, the second time this season the Lady Rebels have grabbed more then 50 rebounds in a contest.
Columbia was led by Brianna Orlich and Kathleen Barry, both with eight points. The Lions were held to 23.7% shooting (14-of-59), were 4-of-17 from three-point land for 23.5%, and 14-of-24 at the charity stripe for 58.3%.
UNLV concludes action in the tournament by facing host Hawaii on Thursday night at 9 pm (PT).
