LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — Pyrotechnics were back as fans returned to the Thomas & Mack Arena for the Lady Rebels' home opener. And the sparks kept flying long after the pregame introductions.
UNLV defeated Montana State 80-42 Saturday afternoon.
Desi-Rae Young led all players with 21 points and 10 rebounds for her second straight double-double.
Essence Booker hit 4-of-5 from 3-point range for 19 points with four steals.
Just like UNLV's season-opening win at Oral Roberts, Booker and Young were the Lady Rebels' top scorers. Unlike the 4-point victory at ORU, UNLV's bench extended the margin when the starters needed rest.
UNLV's reserves contributed 25 points, led by sophomore transfer
Nneka Obiazor, who scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds.Â
"Nneka's been working hard in practice," UNLV head coach
Lindy La Rocque said, "as has our whole team, so it was great to see her have some success.Â
"She focused on her rebounding and that is what we needed. I think that helped get her offense going."
The Lady Rebels hit their first four shots of the game en route to an 11-2 lead five minutes into the game. Obiazor spelled Young and ignited the crowd with a block on the Bobcats' ensuing possession, sparking a 7-0 scoring run.
UNLV led 40-21 at halftime and extended its lead to as much as 41 points with 5 minutes to play.
Darian White led Montana State with 12 points. UNLV's
Khayla Rooks added 9 and freshman Kendaee Winfrey, seeing her first action of the season, scored 6.
"It was a full team performance," La Rocque added. "We know how basketball works: Anything can happen. We're going to need our bench—our full bench—and they did some nice things today."
STAT OF THE GAME: The Lady Rebels were too much inside for the Bobcats. UNLV grabbed 52 rebounds compare to Montana State's 29.
QUOTABLE: "It was great (to have fans back.) This was awesome. We had a great turn out and a bunch of alums here. It's just great to have fans back, that's why we do this."
BIG LEAD: UNLV led by 41 (77-36) with 4:48 remaining before sitting its lone remaining starter in the game.
BIG RUN: UNLV used a 12-0 run from 6:53 remaining in the third period to 3:42 remaining to extend its lead to 49-28 to 61-28.
MARGIN CALL: The 38-point victory is UNLV's largest over a Division I opponent since it beat Air Force 87-43 (44 points) on March 1, 2014.
NEXT FOR THE LADY REBELS: UNLV travels to Flagstaff, Ariz., for a matchup with Northern Arizona on Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m. PT.
TICKETS: Admission to Lady Rebel games for UNLV students and all kids in high school and younger is free. High school students must show school I.D. Adult tickets are $6 each when purchased in advance of gameday and $10 on the day of the game. Season and single-game tickets for the 2021-22 season are on sale as well. For all ticket information and to purchase, visit UNLVtickets.com or call 702-739-FANS (3267).
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