LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV nearly rallied from a big fourth-quarter deficit, coming from down 17 to within two in the final seconds before eventually falling 79-75 to Northern Arizona in the season opener for both teams at the Thomas & Mack Center Wednesday. The game marked the debut of new UNLV head coach Lindy La Rocque.
UNLV fell behind at the start to a hot-shooting NAU squad, as the Lumberjacks hit 65% in the first quarter and made five treys on the way to a 28-18 advantage after the first 10 minutes. UNLV had its worst offensive quarter of the day in the second, connecting on just four of 12 shots and would fall behind 49-32 at the break.
The lead grew to as high as 19, 57-38 at the 5:20 mark for NAU, and though UNLV cut it to 12 twice, the Lumberjacks held a 69-52 advantage with just under six minutes left in the game.
FOURTH QUARTER RALLY: The Lady Rebels, who steadily improved their play throughout the game, found their groove in the fourth quarter. Bailey Thomas hit a three-pointer and following a NAU layup, the Lady Rebels reeled off 13 of the game's next 16 points, with Jasmine Singleton's trey closing UNLV to within 74-68 with 1:38 to play. UNLV made it a single-possession game off a pair of free throws with 36 seconds to go, but was then called for a blocking foul. NAU made both free throws for a five point lead. The Lady Rebels added a three-pointer in the final seconds before the Lumberjacks made two more free throws to end the game.
THE TURNING POINT: UNLV held an early 5-3 lead before the Lumberjacks scored the next 10 points. That was part of an overall 23-7 run for the visitors and UNLV would trail by double-digits the rest of the way until the final five minutes.
LADY REBEL OF THE GAME: In her first game as a Lady Rebel, sophomore Delaynie Byrne claimed her first career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while knocking down a team-high four three-pointers.
STAT OF THE GAME: NAU hit eight of its first 15 shots from three-point range, though just one of its last nine. UNLV missed 18 of its first 22 attempts from three-point range, then made four of its last nine.
QUOTEABLE: "Great game, honestly it was just great to get out there and play someone new. That first quarter looked like a scrimmage that I wished we could have had behind closed doors to get out all the kinks. NAU's a great team, very well coached, can shoot the three, and we dug ourselves too big of a hole. But I'm proud of the fight and determination we gave ourselves there at the end to give ourselves a chance. Delaynie made some nice plays, Bailey was our heart and soul and it hurt to lose her at the end. We got a lot of things from different people, we won the rebounding battle. A lot of positive things to take from today, we're not done, we'll continue to improve and work to get better." - UNLV Head Coach Lindy La Rocque
LADY REBEL NOTES
* - For the first time since March 6, 2018, five Lady Rebels scored in double-figures in the same game as Keyana Wilfred, Jade Thomas and Desi-Rae Young all scored 11 points while Thomas added 10.
* - UNLV had two players with double-doubles, as Wilfred added 10 rebounds in her first career start to go along with her 11 points. She came into the year with just 10 career points and 14 career rebounds in 15 appearances as a freshman last season.
* - In their first game playing together on the same team, the Thomas sisters combined for 21 points, while Bailey led the team in assists with five.
* - UNLV held a decided advantage in bench points, 25-1.
* - Freshman Desi-Rae Young from Las Vegas had a strong debut, going 4-for-4 from the field, 3-for-3 at the line along with a game-high three blocks.
NEXT TIME OUT: UNLV will be on the road at CSU Fullerton for a Wednesday, Dec. 2 contest at 5 pm in Titan Gym.
