Box Score LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Â UNLV senior guard LaTecia Smith's offensive putback with 11.8 seconds sent the game into overtime, while Rodjanae Wade posted game-highs of 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Lady Rebels past St. John's 79-75 in the consolation game of the Lady Rebel Round-Up Sunday afternoon from the Cox Pavilion.
The first half was mostly in St. John's favor as the Red Storm opened up a 27-18 lead with 4:25 to play in the second quarter. UNLV cut the deficit to just one at the half, 36-35, and then opened up a seven-point lead at the end of the third quarter, 60-53. However SJU would use a 10-0 rally to go ahead 63-60 with five minutes to play.
KEY PLAY: UNLV dominated the boards all game long and that paid on the most critical possession, as the Lady Rebels grabbed a pair of offensive rebounds in the final 15 seconds, the second of which was by Smith. She quickly banked in a jumper to knot the game at 71-71, and UNLV did not allow a shot by SJU on the other end on the way to its second overtime game of the year.
OVERTIME RECAP: UNLV allowed just two free throws over the first 4:35 of overtime, while Smith scored four straight to put the Lady Rebels ahead 75-73. Freshman Isis Beh scored with 1:27 left for a four-point lead, and UNLV hit two free throws in the final 21 seconds to finish off the win.
LADY REBEL OF THE GAME: Wade claimed her fourth double-double of the year with thanks to a new career-high in scoring (21), while her 13 rebounds was just one off her career-best.
STAT OF THE GAME:Â The Lady Rebels won the battle of the boards 57-48, including 26-16 on the offensive side, and held a 17-10 edge on second chance points. UNLV also outscored the Red Storm 46-36 inside the paint.
LADY REBEL NOTES
* - UNLV won despite St. John's making 33 total trips to the free throw line (28-of-33 for 84.8%).
* - Smith finished with 16 points to join Wade in double-figures.
* - Haley Rydalch, Justice Ethridge and Beh all scored seven points off the bench. It was a new career-high for Beh.
NEXT UP: UNLV will open Mountain West conference play Tuesday when it hosts the Fresno State Bulldogs at 6 pm in the Cox Pavilion.
