LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -  Despite having played a double-overtime contest less than 24 hours ago, UNLV came in on fire Monday afternoon, hitting nine three-pointers in the first half on the way to a school-record 15 for the game in a 94-59 rout of Loyola Marymount in the final game of the Dual In The Desert from the Thomas & Mack Center. The win moved the Lady Rebels' record to 3-4 entering the Christmas break.

UNLV finished the game 15-of-29 from the floor, with the 15 makes from three-point range shattering the previous record of 12, set five times before. The Lady Rebels also excelled at the free throw line, making 25-of-30 for 83.3%, while the Lions made just eight trips (7-of-8).

THE TURNING POINT: LMU actually held an 8-6 lead at the 4:29 mark of the first quarter. UNLV then scored the next 13 points of the game and never looked back. Nia Johnson scored the first two points of the run off two free throws, and then it was the Delaynie Byrne show. The sophomore forward hit two free throws, a three-pointer, a three-point play and then another three-pointer for 11 straight points, 13 overall for the Lady Rebels for a 19-8 advantage. After LMU answered with a bucket, Jacinta Buckely hit the first of two first-half treys and UNLV led by double-digits the rest of the way. 

LADY REBELS OF THE GAME: Both Jade Thomas and Delaynie Byrne finished with a game-high and new career-high 24 points each. Thomas would actually tie the school record with seven three-pointers, which is also a UNLV freshman record for three-pointers in a game, out of 10 attempts. She added seven rebounds as well. Bryne meanwhile was 5-of-7 from three-point range, 5-of-5 at the line and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for her second straight double-double and third overall of the season.

STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV outscored the Lions by 27 points from behind the arc, as LMU finished 6-of-22 from three-point range. That added to the 18 free throw differential would combine for a 45-point advantage for the host Lady Rebels.

QUOTEABLE: "Great team win today. Obviously when you're making shots like that and sharing the ball it's a fun game to watch and play. As a coach I was just trying to enjoy some of it, but it comes down to our team's work ethic and preparation. Our coaches did a great job of scouting, and in such a short turn around that's a tough task. To be able to execute the way we did today, setting a school record with the 15 threes, and I'm more happy with our overall percentage (15-of-29). Jade (Thomas) got hot going 7-for-10, she got it clicking today and making threes, and when those fall it can be contagious. Overall just really proud of our team today" - UNLV head coach Lindy La Rocque

LADY REBEL NOTES

* - The 58 first half points is the most scored by the Lady Rebels in the first half in at least the past 26 years.

* - UNLV's 94 points was its highest since a 102-46 win over Concordia on Nov. 11, 2016 in the Thomas & Mack Center. It was also the most against a Division I opponent since a 99-97 loss to San Jose State on March 6, 2015.

* - The Lady Rebels finished with season-highs in field goal percentage (27-59, 45.8%), three-point percentage (15-29, 51.7%) and free throw percentage (25-30, 83.3%).

* - The 35-point win margin was the largest for UNLV over a Division I opponent since a 79-44 win against Southern Utah on Nov. 14, 2015, which was also in the Thomas & Mack Center.

* - Freshman Desi-Rae Young also finished in double-figures with 15 points. Nia Johnson was the next highest scorer with nine, while Bailey Thomas added seven points, seven rebounds and a career-high seven assists.

* - UNLV led 24-12 after the first quarter, 58-32 after the second quarter, and 74-42 after the third.

* - The Lady Rebels dominated the boards with a 49-30 advantage.

NEXT TIME OUT

UNLV is off for the Christmas break before returning to action with a Mountain West road trip to San Diego State. The Lady Rebels will face the Aztecs twice on the road, Thursday, Dec. 31 at 2 pm and then Saturday, Jan. 2 at 1 pm.