LOS ANGELES (UNLVRebels.com) - Â Playing without its leading scorer and rebounder in Rodjanae Wade, who missed the contest due to illness, UNLV fell behind big in the first half before playing USC even in the second in a 75-54 road loss Saturday afternoon from the Galen Center. USC led by nine after the first quarter and 21 after the second, before both teams each scored 14 points in the third and 17 points in the final quarter.
USC led by as much as 25 in the game, 50-25 early in the third. The Lady Rebels would not back down though, closing with 17 thanks to an 8-0 run, and would make it a 16-point game in the fourth quarter. The Trojans then closed out the final four minutes with three treys to push the edge back over 20.
Â
STATS OF THE GAME: UNLV came into the game with a +5.0 rebound margin, helped by Wade's 10.4 rebounds per game which ranked 27th in the nation. Without the senior center, UNLV was outrebounded by a 43-33 margin. The Trojans also took advantage of her absence in the post on defense, as USC shot 50% in every single quarter from the floor, finishing 26-of-62 for 50%, while the Lady Rebels were held to 32.4% (22-of-68). USC also held a commanding advantage at the free throw line, hitting 18-of-23, while UNLV had just nine total trips to the charity stripe (6-of-9).
LADY REBEL OF THE GAME: Sophomore Justice Ethridge came off the bench to post her double-figure game of the season with a team-high 12 points.
LADY REBEL NOTES
* - With Wade sitting out, Anna Blount became the first Lady Rebel freshman to start a game this season.
* - Joining Ethridge in double-figures was freshman Isis Bey with a career-high 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
NEXT UP: UNLV plays a third straight road game with Monday's contest at Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Arizona. The game tips off at 5 pm (PT).
