Feb. 22, 2017 Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV PDF Box Score vs Air Force
UNLV held Air Force to just 11 first half points on the way to its fourth straight victory, 52-38 on Wednesday night in Mountain West women's basketball action from the Cox Pavilion. With their fourth straight win, the Lady Rebels moved into a tie for second place in the Mountain West along with idle Wyoming at 10-5 in league play, and stand at 19-8 overall for the season.
The Lady Rebels' defensive effort was the story of the night on Wednesday, as they forced 23 turnovers and held a 36-26 edge on the boards, which included giving up just two offensive boards in the contest. Air Force scored just eight points in the first quarter, and then were limited to just 1-of-9 shooting in the second quarter. That field goal paired with a free throw gave Air Force just three total points in the second quarter, the fewest scored by a UNLV conference opponent this season. The 38 points by Air Force were also the lowest allowed by UNLV since a 46-38 win over Utah State on Jan. 20, 2016 in Las Vegas.
Dakota Gonzalez paced the Lady Rebels in scoring with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Brooke Johnson added 14 points. Katie Powell added four points and seven rebounds in her first action since suffering a shoulder injury in the win over Nevada, Reno on Feb. 8, which started UNLV's current four-game win streak.
The Lady Rebels shot 37.5% (18-of-48) for the game and were 14-of-20 at the free throw line (70%), though made just 2-of-9 from three-point range. Both three-point makes from Johnson who was 2-of-2.
UNLV scored the first first points of the game and led 13-4 before taking a 15-8 edge into the second quarter. After the teams traded baskets to open the second quarter, UNLV claimed seven of the final eight points of the quarter to lead 24-11 at the halftime break. The lead grew to as high as 20 for the Lady Rebels, 42-22 when Johnson scored to end the third quarter. Air Force cut into the final margin after outscoring UNLV 16-10 in the fourth quarter, to account for the 14-point contest.
The Falcons were limited to 36.4% shooting (16-of-44) from the floor and were 2-of-10 from three-point range. Dee Bennett was the lone Falcon in double-figures, scoring 14 while adding nine rebounds.
UNLV now begins a two-game road swing, starting with Saturday's 4 pm contest at Nevada, Reno. This will be the second game of the season between the two in the Governor's Series, the all-sports competition with the two schools sponsored by NV Energy and Barrick Gold. If the Lady Rebels complete the season sweep, they will earn three points for UNLV. The game will have a live video stream on the MW Network, available on UNLVRebels.com, while the radio broadcast featuring the call of Wyatt Tomchek will be on KSHP 1400 AM.
