LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — UNLV was eager to turn the page on a blowout loss to Northern Arizona last Wednesday.
So they talked about it. And that chatter continued on the court as the Lady Rebels (3-1) silenced Southern Utah (0-4) 92-59 Saturday at the COX Pavilion.
"It's such a simple thing, communication in general," UNLV head women's basketball coach
Lindy La Rocque said, "but it really is a difference maker.
"We felt like we had to recalibrate and get back to our basics. Our talking, our post rim-running and being in a defensive stance—they are things that we can control."
Nneka Obiazor made 10 of 11 field goal attempts for 21 points to lead six Lady Rebels in double figures.
UNLV set season highs in points scored, field goals made (37), field goal percentage (.578), free throw percentage (.769) assists (27) and steals (16), while counting a season low 11 turnovers.
"It's impossible to talk and not play hard," La Rocque added. "When you talk, you get really connected as a group. And when the bench is talking, they're really engaged."
UNLV jumped out to an early advantage behind a pair of 3s from
Essence Booker and
Justice Ethridge and then fought back Southern Utah's rally to lead 17-9 at the end of the first quarter.
The Lady Rebels extended their 50-28 halftime advantage to lead by 35 points with six minutes to play.
Southern Utah's Samantha Johnson led the Thunderbirds with 14 points.
Preseason All-Mountain West sophomore center
Desi-Rae Young scored 11 points in only 14 minutes after picking up a fourth foul early in the second half.
"We saw great improvement today," La Rocque said, "but, honestly, I think it started in practice after having a pit in our stomach from our game on Wednesday and wanting to do something about it.
"I'm really, really proud of how our team has responded and our challenge is to carry it forward."
STAT OF THE GAME: The Lady Rebels collected 27 defensive rebounds to the Thunderbirds 13 offensive boards, winning 68 percent of the possessions off the opponent's rim.
QUOTABLE: "We have a full week of practice before our next game, which we haven't had since October. So, I'm excited to take a couple of days to really focus on us before we turn our attention to our next two opponents. A Thanksgiving tournament like this, two games in two days, prepares you for conference tournament and postseason play." — UNLV head coach
Lindy La Rocque
BENCHMARK: Reserves combined for 48 of UNLV's 92 points, 16 of 38 rebounds and 14 of 27 assists.
BIRTHDAY PRESENCE:
Essence Booker celebrated her 22nd birthday by scoring the first points of the game, an unassisted 3-pointer. The Lady Rebels' point guard finished with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting and totaled six assists with zero turnovers.
FRESHLY SERVED: Freshman guard
Kiara Jackson dished a game-high seven assists without a turnover. Jackson also tallied season highs with 10 points and four steals.
Freshman guard
Alyssa Durazo-Frescas also recorded her best collegiate performance to date with an 11-point outing behind 3-of-4 3-point field goal shooting.
NEXT FOR THE LADY REBELS: UNLV hosts its annual Thanksgiving Classic round-robin tournament at the COX Pavilion Saturday, Nov. 27, and Sunday, Nov. 28.
Grambling, Kansas City, and UT Arlington join the Lady Rebels in the field. UNLV will play UT Arlington on Saturday and Grambling on Sunday. Tip off for both games is noon with the successive games to follow at 2:30 p.m.
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).
