CEDAR CITY, Utah (UNLVRebels.com) -  UNLV nearly pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in school history Tuesday night, as the Lady Rebels rallied from 17 down in the fourth quarter with a 20-3 run over the final 5:12 to force overtime on a three-point shot with three seconds left, before eventually falling 72-68 in overtime to Southern Utah in women's college basketball action from the America First Event Center.

FOURTH QUARTER RECAP: The Thunderbirds took their largest lead of the game, 56-39, with 5:26 on the clock. UNLV then held the home team scoreless until the final minute, while a pair of Bailey Thomas free throws started a run of 15 straight points to cut the edge to just 56-54 with 1:34 to play. Back-to-back treys from Justice Ethridge would cap the run.

LADY REBEL OF THE GAME: Following Thomas' free throws, LaTecia Smith took over, as the senior guard scored the next seven points for the Lady Rebels. Then following Ethridge's long range bombs, Smith scored the final five points of the quarter for UNLV, including the overtime-forcing trey in the final seconds. She finished the game with a career-high 20 points and added six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

OVERTIME: SUU never trailed as it scored the first four points. UNLV stayed close and had a chance to take possession in the final 30 seconds down by three, but the Thunderbirds came up with a big offensive rebound and hit one-of-two at the line for a four-point lead.

FIRST THREE QUARTERS: UNLV struggled from the floor over the first half, hitting just 8-of-29 from the floor, while other mistakes on offense also hurt the team, with 22 turnovers and 23 fouls over the first 30 minutes of action. The Thunderbirds took advantage with leads of 14-7 after the first quarter, 27-18 at halftime and 49-35 after the third quarter.

KEY STATS: UNLV finished with 26 turnovers to just 16 for Southern Utah. The Lady Rebels were also outscored on second chance points 24-9, despite winning the rebounding battle 47-44.

PLAYER NOTES

* - Senior Rodjanae Wade picked up her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

* - Freshman Isis Bey, playing in her home state, grabbed a career-high eight rebounds before fouling out.

* - Freshman Anna Blount scored a career-high eight points off the bench

* - Ethridge recorded her first career start and scored eight points before fouling out.

NEXT UP: UNLV will host South Carolina State Saturday at 5:30 in the Cox Pavilion