Box Score

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV could not keep up with a hot shooting USF squad, as the No. 21/25 Bulls hit over 51% from the floor on the way to a 77-42 victory over the Lady Rebels in the fifth place game of the Play4Kay Shootout on Wednesday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena. The Lady Rebels, playing their second top-25 squad in three days, saw their short bench catch up to them on the final day of the tournament as they dropped to 9-3 on the season. USF meanwhile improved to 10-1 overall.

South Florida came into Wednesday's game with the 14th-highest scoring offense at the nation at 82.9 points per game, and proceeded to show that form by shooting 53% in the opening half. UNLV never led in the contest, but was able to stay with the Bulls for the first 15 minutes of the contest, first cutting an early four-point deficit to one thanks to a three-pointer from Brooke Johnson for a 10-9 contest. USF closed the quarter with a 6-0 run for a 16-9 edge, and added another trey to open the second quarter for a 19-9 advantage. UNLV then went on an 11-4 run, thanks to points from four different players. A three-pointer from Katie Powell and a jumper from Dakota Gonzalez made it a one-possession game, 23-20, with 6:17 to play in the second quarter.

USF took over by ending the half on a 13-2 run, and would go into halftime with a 36-22 advantage. The Bulls scored six of the first seven points of the third quarter, and UNLV could come no closer then 14 the rest of the way.

The Lady Rebels, who played the final two games of the Shootout without their top two point guards, were held to a season low in points and shooting percentage, 28.6% off 16-of-56 from the floor. UNLV made four of 19 attempts from three-point range (21.1%), and were sent to the line a season-low seven times, with six makes.

Dakota Gonzalez led UNLV in scoring with 12 points, the only Lady Reb in double-figures. Powell added eight and Johnson seven.

USF was paced by Kitija Laksa's 30 points, while Maria Jespersen posted a double-double of 12 points and 18 rebounds for the Bulls. They hit on 32-of-62 attempts from the floor, and outrebounded the Lady Rebs by a 48-23 margin.

UNLV will break for Christmas before returning to action on Thursday, Dec. 29, when it hosts Colorado State in the Mountain West opener for both teams. The game will tip off at 3 pm in the Cox Pavilion, tickets are $8 for adults, $5 if bought online at UNLVTickets.com, while kids 12 and under are free at UNLV Lady Rebel games.