Box Score

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -

After missing most of the second quarter with foul trouble, Nikki Wheatley scored 10 of her game-high 16 points in the third quarter to help UNLV pull away from Cal State San Marcos for an eventual 62-43 victory in women's college basketball action on Monday night from the Cox Pavilion. UNLV improved to 4-0 for the first time since the 2011-12 season, while the Cougars dropped to 0-2 for the season.

"I think San Marcos played with great effort tonight," said UNLV head coach Kathy Olivier. "We need to make sure we take better care of the ball. Our rebounding effort was good tonight though. And we're 4-0, we're going to enjoy it while we can but now we have to get ready for our Thanksgiving tournament."

The Lady Rebels put together another strong defensive performance, holding San Marcos to just 28% shooting and four total points in the paint. However, missed shots by UNLV in the first two quarters combined with 14 first half turnovers helped the Cougars to keep the game close, as it was a 27-19 edge at halftime. The advantage was cut to four points, 27-23, 35 seconds into the half following a three-pointer and a free throw from San Marcos.

Wheatley then sparked the Lady Rebels, converting two straight offensive rebounds. That started a 14-3 run over the next 5:29 of the game, with a three-point from Brooke Johnson giving UNLV a 41-26 edge at the 2:47 mark, The final four points of the quarter came from Wheatley, a pair of free throws and a layup at the buzzer to give UNLV a 47-29 lead after 30 minutes of action. That was her 16th point of the game as well, setting a new career high for the sophomore point guard.

The Lady Rebs then took care of business in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to as high as 22 points, 62-40, with 3:12 to play. A three-pointer from Paige Barber with 1:55 to play accounted for the final basket of the game, and stopped UNLV's streak of 20+ point victories at three games.

UNLV, who was playing without leading scorer Dakota Gonzalez, placed three players in double figures in the victory. Aley Rohde recorded her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Brooke Johnson also set a new career-high in scoring with 14 points, to go along with four assists and five steals.

As a team, the Lady Rebels shot 37.7% (23-of-61), was 4-of-9 from three-point range for 44.4% and 12-of-21 at the line for 57.1%. They held a 53-29 edge on the boards and forced 25 turnovers, but committed 23 of their own.

San Marcos was paced by Savannah Camp and Barber, both with 12 each, as the two combined to shoot 7-of-18 from three-point range. The Cougars attempted 30 three-point shots and made 10, and were 4-of-20 on two-point attempts.

UNLV returns to action this weekend when it hosts the Lady Rebel Round-Up on Saturday and Sunday in the Cox Pavilion. The first contest will be the Lady Rebels against George Mason on Saturday at 12 pm, and that will be followed by Drake and Tulsa at 2:30 pm. Sunday will have the consolation game at 12 pm and the championship at 2:30 pm.