LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — UNLV (2-1) returns to the COX Pavilion on Saturday, Nov. 20, for a third straight matchup with a team from the Big Sky Conference. The Lady Rebels host Southern Utah (0-3) for a noon tip off.

Fans will not need proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the COX Pavilion. 

Stream the game live via the Mountain West Network or listen to live audio, featuring Wyatt Tomchek on play-by-play, at UNLVRebels.com.

Saturday also celebrates the Lady Rebels Summer Camp reunion and special invitations for area AAU programs. A local AAU team will conduct a brief scrimmage at halftime.

About the matchup

Southern Utah represents the nearest opponent by location that the Lady Rebels will play this season. Campus-to-campus, 178 miles separate UNLV and the Thunderbirds' home in Cedar City, Utah.

• All-time series: UNLV leads 11-5.
• First meeting: Jan. 20, 1976, in Las Vegas. UNLV won 116-36 against the formerly named Southern Utah State College.
• Last meeting: Nov. 19, 2019, at Cedar City, Utah. Southern Utah won 72-68 in overtime.

Scouting Southern Utah

• The Thunderbirds come to Las Vegas 0-3 following losses at Cal State Fullerton (71-69), at UC Irvine (81-65) and versus Utah Valley (60-54) to start the 2021-22 season.
• Southern Utah was picked to finish fourth by the media and sixth by the coaches in the Big Sky preseason polls.
• Southern Utah in its final Big Sky season before joining the WAC next year.
• In August, Sanders signed a contract extension to remain at SUU through the 2025-26 season. Sanders has elevated the Thunderbirds, taking over a 3-win program and recording an 18-13 record by her second season.
• SUU graduated All-Big Sky second team guard Liz Graves but returns honorable mention Cherita Daugherty, also a guard.
• Alumni from the 2019 Nevada Class 4A Girls' Basketball State Championship team reunite as UNLV guard Jade Thomas meets up with SUU center Bryar Tronnier, whose senior year was her lone season on Centennial's varsity squad.

Lady Rebels' last time out

• UNLV fell to Northern Arizona 84-62 Wednesday, Nov. 17, in Flagstaff, Ariz.
• Nneka Obiazor scored a season-high 13 points off the bench.
• Essence Booker added 11. She has been one of UNLV's top two scorers in every game.
• The Lady Rebels shot 34 percent (23-of-67) from the field and 22 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range, both lows under La Rocque.
• UNLV held NAU scoreless for 6 minutes through the second quarter and closed within 2 (29-27), but it was the closest the Lady Rebels would get, trailing 42-29 at halftime.

Road winning streak ended

• With its loss at Northern Arizona, UNLV's road winning streak ended at 10 consecutive, matching the program record set over the 1985 and 1986 seasons.
• It was the first true road defeat under head coach Lindy La Rocque.
• At the time of the loss, UNLV shared the fifth longest active road winning streak in NCAA Division I women's basketball.

Short memories

• The Lady Rebels have only suffered consecutive defeats under Lindy La Rocque once. 
• Under La Rocque, UNLV is 7-1 following a loss (in the same season of play) with an average margin of victory of 15 points in those eight games.

Mountain West Player of the Week

• Sophomore center Desi-Rae Young earned the season's first Mountain West Conference Player of the Week honor.
• Young averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds to power the Lady Rebels' 2-0 start. She combined for four blocks and 54 percent field goal shooting (14-of-26).

Thanksgiving Classic Up Next

• UNLV hosts its annual Thanksgiving Classic at COX Pavilion Saturday, Nov. 27, and Sunday, Nov. 28.
• Grambling, Kansas City and UT Arlington fill the field.
• The Lady Rebels will play UT Arlington on Saturday and Grambling on Sunday. 
• Both UNLV games are at noon with the day's successive matchup tipping at 2:30 p.m.