Feb. 13, 2013
Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV senior guard Kelli Thompson continued her recent hot streak by scoring a game-high 22 points to lead four Lady Rebels in double-digits in a 80-53 rout of Air Force on Wednesday night in Mountain West women's basketball action from the Cox Pavilion. With their fourth win in the last five games, the Lady Rebs improved to 6-4 in the conference, 10-14 overall, while the Falcons dropped to 2-8 in league play (3-20 overall).
After losing the rebound battle 60-37 to Air Force in the first meeting between the teams this season, a 81-69 Falcons win in Colorado Springs on Jan. 12, UNLV quickly made sure that the second game would be a different story. The Lady Rebs held a 22-12 edge on the boards by halftime, and 42-29 for the game. UNLV also took advantage of its chances at the line, making 28-of-35 from the charity stripe for 80%, while Air Force was limited to 10 attempts.
Thompson's 22 points, on 6-of-12 shooting, was her fourth 20+ point performance in the past five games. Freshman center Réjane Vérin posted her second double-double of the year with 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, while also recording double-figures on the night was Danielle Miller (15 points) and Rmanii Haynes (10 points, six rebounds, six assists).
"I felt we did a really good job of sharing the ball, and that led us to having several different scoring options and they all shot well," said UNLV head coach Kathy Olivier. "Rebounding was also a focus for us tonight, and I was pleased to see us do a much better job this time around.
UNLV never trailed in the game, and was only tied twice, at 2-2 and 4-4. Miller then scored four of the game's next six points for a 10-4 UNLV edge. Jimi Blagowski drained a jumper for Air Force at 13:38 to close within 10-6, but UNLV would allow just two points over the next six minutes of the game. The Lady Rebs scored 11 during that stretch, five from Thompson who's layup at 7:55 made it a 21-8 lead. A three-point play from Michelle Ivey brought the Falcons within single digits for the last time, 29-21 with 2:25 to play in the half. Baskets from Amie Callaway and Thompson gave UNLV a 33-21 halftime edge, the largest of the season for the Lady Rebs.
The second half was all UNLV, with a 16-2 run midway through the half extending a 15-point lead into a 64-35 edge with 9:01 to play on a jumper from Amanda Anderson. That was the largest lead of the game, and of the season for the Lady Rebs. UNLV would lead by 29 twice more, at 78-49 and 80-51 before closing out the 27-point win.
The Lady Rebs finished the night shooting 52.2% (24-of-46) from the floor, their best mark in league play this year.UNLV made 4-of-12 (33.3%) from three-point range, and also came up with 15 stealst.
Alicia Leipprandt was the lone Falcon in double-figures with 14. The Falcons were held to 35.4% (23-of-65) for the night from the floor, and made 1-of-17 from behind the arc for 5.9%.
The Lady Rebs take to the road for their next game, a Sunday, Feb. 17 contest at conference leader San Diego State that will be televised nationally by CBS Sports. Tip-off is set for 1 pm.
