Nov. 7, 2011
Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV had four players finish in double-figures on the way to a 74-57 victory over Notre Dame de Namur in women's college basketball exhibition action on Monday night at the Cox Pavilion.
Kelli Thompson and Markiell Styles both scored 13 points to lead the Lady Rebels, while Jamie Smith poured in 10 points, and freshman Danielle Miller added 10 off the bench. Sandrine Nzeukou ended the night with seven points and 13 rebounds for the Lady Rebels.
UNLV finished the night shooting just 37.7% from the floor, but made up for that with its defense, forcing 20 turnovers, which was turned into a 21-9 advantage on points off turnovers. UNLV also dominated inside, with a 40-20 edge on points in the paint, and outscored the Argonauts 32-2 on fast break points.
The Lady Rebels only trailed once in the game, at 2-0, and were up by a 16-14 edge when freshman Alana Cesarz converted a layup to start a 10-point burst. Nzeukou finished the run with a layup at 9:25, putting UNLV up by a 26-14 score, and the lead would stay at 12 going into halftime.
NDNU cut the edge to single digits once in the second half, 43-34 on a Pilar Mullings jumper at the 17:08 mark. UNLV responded with a 14-4 run to push its edge to 19 points. Six different Lady Rebels scored the run, capped by a steal and layup from Miller to make the score 57-38 with 10:58 to play. The largest lead of the night was 21 points, off a Mia Bell jumper at the 2:17 mark that made the score 70-49.
UNLV held a 47-38 rebounding edge in the contest, including 21-10 on the offensive boards. The Lady Rebels also came up with 14 steals.
Natellie Saia scored a game-high 18 points to pace NDNU, while Mullins posted a double-double of 14 points and 17 rebounds. The Argonauts were held to 37.5% shooting from the floor (21-of-46), and 5-of-19 from three-point range (26.3%).
UNLV will open the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 2:30 pm (PT) against Butler in the Iowa Hawkeye Challenge in Iowa City, Iowa.
