Jan. 27, 2016 BOISE, Idaho (UNLVRebels.com) - Two big runs at the start of each half by the home team was too much for UNLV to overcome, as the Lady Rebels' three-game win streak came to an end at Boise State on Wednesday night by a score of 75-56 in Mountain West action from Taco Bell Arena. UNLV dropped to 4-4 in league play, and 11-8 overall with the loss while the Broncos improved to 13-6, 6-2 in league play with their fifth straight win.
"We just started off bad," said UNLV head coach Kathy Olivier. "They came out with a 1-3-1 defense and made us have to move the ball a lot to get good looks and it threw us off. Once we got started I felt we made a good effort at the end of the first quarter and in the second quarter. Dakota (Gonzalez) kept us in the game and Brooke's (Johnson) effort was ridiculous. We will learn from this, they were more active and shot really well against our defense, we will be ready for them next month in Las Vegas. "
A 7-0 run at the start and end of the third quarter for Boise State was the key to the game, giving the Broncos a 15-point edge going into the final quarter. BSU also started out the game on a hot streak, as following a basket by Nikki Wheatley for the first points of the game, the Broncos scored 15 of the next 16 points to go up 15-3. Dakota Gonzalez, playing in her home state for the first time in a collegiate game, kept UNLV in the contest as she scored the team's next eight points, while the Lady Rebs' defensive pressure helped them end the quarter on a 12-4 run. Brooke Johnson's driving jumper at the first quarter buzzer made the score 19-15 in favor of the Broncos.
UNLV kept up the pressure in the second quarter, and would tie the game four times over the second 10 minutes. The first two came off three-pointers from Dylan Gonzalez and her sister Dakota, at 23-23 and 26-26. Aley Rohde converted a layup attempt in the paint to make the score 28-28, while Brooke Johnson scored off a fast break layup at the 2:55 mark for a 30-30 game. That was the last points of the half for UNLV, while Boise State ran off five straight to go into halftime up 35-30.
Johnson then stole a pass and scored to bring UNLV within 35-32 to open the second half. Boise State quickly answered with seven straight, going ahead 42-32 on a three-pointer just over three minutes into the quarter. A three-pointer from Dakota Gonzalez cut the edge to 44-37, and the lead was still at single digits in the final three minutes of the quarter. Jordyn Bell grabbed an offensive board and scored for a 53-45 edge at the 2:59 mark. The Broncos posted the final seven points of the quarter, and UNLV came no closer then 14 the rest of the way.
Dakota Gonzalez set a new career-high with 23 points to led all scorers, while Johnson joined her in double-figures with 13 for UNLV. However, the Lady Rebels other three starters were held to just 12 combined points, partly due early foul trouble from Wheatley, who would play a season-low 14 minutes. The Lady Rebels shot 35.7% (20-of-56) for the game and were 5-of-20 from three-point range. UNLV did hit a season-high 91.7% of its shots at the free throw line, knocking down 11-of-12. The Lady Rebels held a slight 33-32 edge on the boards, and turned the ball over 24 times, though they owned a 26-18 advantage on points off turnovers.
Four Broncos finished in double-figures, led by Brooke Pahukoa's 20 points, 14 of which came in the first quarter. Shay Shaw was next in scoring with 16 points. The Broncos made 28-of-58 from the floor for 48.3%, were 10-of-22 from three-point range for 45.5%, and 9-of-11 at the line (81.8%).
UNLV will play a second straight game on the road this Saturday, with a 2 pm contest at the San Diego State Aztecs.
