Jan. 4, 2017 Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV-Boise State PDF Box Score
A stellar defensive performance by UNLV and clutch free throw shooting in the final minute gave the Lady Rebels a much needed 58-55 upset victory at Mountain West co-leader Boise State on Wednesday night from Taco Bell Arena in snowy Boise. UNLV ended its toughest six-game stretch of the season with perhaps its biggest victory of the year, as the Broncos had entered the contest with a 12-1 record, receiving votes in the AP Top 25 Poll and were ranked 30th in the NCAA RPI. The loss sent BSU to 2-1 in league play, while UNLV improved to 10-5 overall and 1-2 in the conference.
"It was a tremendous defensive effort by everyone tonight, starters and everyone off the bench," said UNLV head coach Kathy Olivier. "In the second half we got a little careless with the ball and they got hot from three-point range. But we stayed together, our post players hit the boards hard while our guards gave us what we needed all night long."
Junior Brooke Johnson posted her second 20+ game of the year, finishing 6-of-9 from the floor and 8-of-10 at the line for a game-high 20 points to pace UNLV. Dakota Gonzalez added nine points, while Katie Powell nearly missed a double-double after recording nine points and eight rebounds.
UNLV had struggled with its shooting the past two weeks, but started the game hitting six of its first eight and finished the first quarter knocking down 53.8% (7-of-13) from the floor. For the game, the Lady Rebs were 20-of-52 (38.5%), and 17-of-22 at the free throw line for 77.3%, though made just one of nine from behind the arc (11.1%).
It was in the hustle stats though where UNLV made its biggest impact to earn the road victory. The Lady Rebs finished with a 22-6 advantage on points off turnovers, and that edge at one point was 15-0 in favor of the visitors. Powell and Johnson both came up with three steals each for UNLV, who posted 11 total of the game while forcing 22 Boise State turnovers. Another key stat was on the boards, as though both teams came up with seven offensive rebounds each, UNLV was the one who took the most advantage, finishing with a 10-5 advantage on second chance points.
Just one game after giving up a season-high 79 points to Wyoming, UNLV's defense was strong all night long, holding the Broncos to a season-low 19 first half points, while BSU's seven points in the second quarter was its fewest in a quarter this season. BSU finished the game shooting 37% (20-of-54), and did made eight three-pointers but needed 25 attempts (32%). The Broncos were also 7-of-11 at the line (63.6%). Brooke Pahukoa led the team with 14 points, while Marta Hermida added 13 and Shalen Shaw 11. The rest of the team was held to a combined 17.
Boise State led just once in the first half, on a three-pointer 16 seconds into the game. UNLV then scored the next points of the contest. The Broncos closed within 6-5 at the 7:12 mark, and it was a 10-7 game with six minutes to go. Powell converted a layup followed by one from Johnson, and UNLV led by at least two possessions the rest of the quarter, finishing the opening 10 minutes with an 18-12 advantage.
Defense was the story of the second quarter, with both teams held to just seven each. A trey from Shaw made it a one-possession game again at 20-17. That was answered by Alyssa Anderson's only basket of the game, a three-pointer from the corner, while Dylan Gonzalez knocked down a jumper for an eight-point edge. Pahukoa scored the last basket of the opening half to cut UNLV's halftime margin to 25-19.
UNLV tried to put the game away in the third quarter with an 8-2 run out of the break. Jordyn Bell's layup with 6:12 on the clock gave the Lady Rebs their largest lead of the game at 33-21. Boise State, who came into the night ranked 10th in the nation for three-pointers made per game, showed off that form by hitting three straight in a 69 second span to quickly cut the lead down to three, 33-30. After UNLV pushed the lead back to six, the Broncos finished the quarter on a 5-0 run to make its a 40-39 game in favor of UNLV.
The final quarter saw four lead changes, as the Broncos opened with a layup from Hermida for a 41-40 lead. The teams then traded baskets, and BSU went up 43-42 on another Hermida basket at the 8:05 mark. UNLV would then hold the Broncos without a made field goal for the next 5:17 of the game. Bell put UNLV back ahead for good with a layup at 6:27, part of a 6-0 for a 48-43 lead at the 3:04 mark. Boise State came back with a trey, were within one possession for the next two minutes, and had the ball down three with just under a minute to go, 52-49. Powell would come up with a key block to give the ball back to UNLV, and the Lady Rebels held off the Broncos at the line, making six of eight in the final 40 seconds to claim the victory.
UNLV returns to action on Saturday at 4 pm, when it hosts Utah State at 4 pm in the Cox Pavilion. It's Kids Day at UNLV, and bounce houses will be set up on the concourse before the game starting at 2:45 pm. Kids 12 and under are always free at UNLV women's basketball games, while adult tickets at $8, or $5 if bought online at UNLVTickets.com.
