SAN JOSE, California (UNLVRebels.com) - Ayzhiana Basallo's layup with 0.3 seconds left gave San Jose State a 62-60 victory over UNLV in a matchup in a Mountain West women's basketball showdown Wednesday night in the Event Center. The teams came into the night with just one loss each in conference play, the setback for the Lady Rebels snapped their five-game win streak and dropped them to 4-2 in league play (8-9 overall) while the Spartans improved to 12-6, 6-1 in the MW.
It was a game that lived up to its billing, as either team led by more then six points and there were a total of 22 lead changes in the contest. UNLV recovered from a poor shooting start to score the final five points of the first quarter thanks to LaTecia Smith, who's trey at the end of the period put UNLV ahead 13-12. The Spartans won the second quarter thanks to hitting 57% of their shots from the floor, including 2-of-3 from the floor. A 9-2 run for the Spartans gave them a 33-31 edge af the end of the first half.
The third quarter saw the Lady Rebels shoot a sizzling 77% (10-of-13) from the floor and took a 54-50 lead into the final 10 minutes. THe lead grew to six points, 58-52 with 5:14 to play off a pair of Anna Blount free throws.
THE TURNING POINT: Melanie Isbell converted a layup at the 2:55 mark to give UNLV a 60-56 lead. However those were the final points of the game for the Lady Rebels. Basallo would counter with a jumper at the 2:44 mark, and then a pair of free throws with 47 seconds left to tie the game at 60-60. UNLV turned the ball over on its next possession but forced a missed shot, giving them the ball with 18 seconds to go. However, UNLV again turned the ball over when trying to drive into the lane with eight seconds left. SJSU called timeout and set up Basallo's game-winning shot after advancing the ball.
LADY REBEL OF THE GAME: Smith paced UNLV with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. SHe was also a perfect 4-of-4 at the line, and added three assists and three steals.
STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV was held to just 20% (2-of-10) shooting in the fourth quarter and scored just six points.
STAT OF THE GAME #2: UNLV was whistled for 17 fouls, leading to 20 free throw attempts for the home Spartans. SJSU meanwhile was called for just eight total fouls, resulting in eight UNLV free throw attempts..
LADY REBEL NOTES
* - Senior Rodjanae Wade notched her league-leading 10th double-double of the year with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
* - Also posting double-figures along with Smith was Justice Ethridge, as the sophomore scored 14 points off the bench.
* - UNLV was forced into 22 turnovers, though it held the advantage on total points off turnovers by a 22-19 margin.
* - The loss was the first for the Lady Rebels since Dec. 20, 2019 (63-55 to Virginia)
NEXT TIME OUT: UNLV will play a second straight road game Saturday, Jan. 18, with a 1 pm (PT) contest at New Mexico in Albuquerque.
