PORTLAND, Oregon (UNLVRebels.com) - It was a tight battle all afternoon long for the UNLV Lady Rebels Saturday at undefeated Portland State, a game that was much closer then the final score indicated as the Vikings needed a fourth quarter rally to remain undefeated after a 58-49 victory. PSU came into the contest averaging just under 80 points a game, but were held to a season-low in points by the Lady Rebels in a game that featured seven lead changes and nine ties, including three lead changes in the final quarter.

UNLV struggled on offense to open the game and the Vikings took advantage with a 10-0 run on the way to a 14-6 advantage after the first 10 minutes. The Lady Rebels bounced back in the second quarter, and used a 10-0 run of their own to knot the game at 19-19. Nikki Wheatley would hit a buzzer-beater jumper to again tie the game at 24-24 going into halftime. The third quarter saw a series of runs, a 7-0 from the home team for a three-point lead before the Lady Rebels countered back with six straight to go ahead 38-35. Justice Ethridge drained her second trey early in the fourth quarter to give the Lady Rebels a four-point edge at 43-39, its largest lead of the game, before PSU rallied for the victory.

 

THE TURNING POINT: After Ethridge's trey at the 8:48 mark, the Lady Rebels would be held scoreless for the next 5:38 of the game. PSU would score 10 straight, with six coming at the free throw line, to take a six-point edge, 49-43 with 4:28 left in the game. UNLV closed within two twice, the last at 51-49 with under three minutes to play, but a key offensive rebound and putback keyed a game-ending 7-0 run for the Vikings.

STAT OF THE GAME: Portland State was called for nine fouls, while the Lady Rebels were whistled for 21. The Vikings finished the game 15-of-24 at the free throw line, while UNLV struggled with the few opportunities it had, making just one of nine attempts.

LADY REBEL OF THE GAME: Junior forward Rodjanae Wade posted her first career double-double, thanks to career-highs in both points (14) and rebounds (13). It was also the first double-double of the year for the Lady Rebels.

QUOTABLE: "We gave a great effort, we've really been playing hard these past few games. Great job on the boards, really good defensive effort, just couldn't make enough baskets down the stretch and had too many turnovers at the end. Overall good team basketball, we're getting better, learning how to play on the road, and the Lady Rebels aren't going to back down from anyone."
- UNLV head coach Kathy Olivier
 

LADY REBEL NOTES:
* For the first time in five games UNLV outrebounded its opponent thanks to a 43-33 advantage.
* UNLV shot 37.1% (23-of-62) for the game. Portland State came into the game holding its opponents to just 30.6% shooting, which ranked second in the nation.
* Wheatley joined Wade in double-figures with 12 while adding eight rebounds before fouling out.
* There are only 18 undefeated teams left in the nation, and the Lady Rebels have played two of them in Portland State and USC.
* UNLV is currently playing without two of its top three returnees from last year, as senior center and leading scorer Katie Powell (right ankle) has been sidelined since the first half of the game against USC (Dec. 1). Senior forward Paris Strawther (broken left pinky) has been out since the UC Irvine game (Nov. 13). Both are expected to be out the rest of the non-conference slate.

NEXT TIME OUT: UNLV will host the Duel In The Desert, a three-day event held in the Cox Pavilion Wednesday, Dec. 19 through Friday, Dec. 21. The Lady Rebels open the event by facing Hawaii in the Rebel Division Wednesday at 12 pm, while the other game in the division will be between Florida and Utah on Thursday at 12 pm. The consolation and championship game for the Rebel Division will be on Friday at 12 and 2:30 pm, respectively. The Desert Division meanwhile will have Kansas, Washington State, Northwestern and Wichita State playing on Wednesday and Thursday. All eight games in the Duel In The Desert will have a live stream through FloHoops.com, while UNLV's two games in the tournament will also have a live radio broadcast available at UNLVRebels.com.