LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — UNLV led start to finish for an 89-49 win over Grambling State on Sunday at Cox Pavilion.

The Lady Rebels showed no lethargy one day after a wire-to-wire battle with UT Arlington, jumping to a 17-5 lead in less than 5 minutes. 

"I think we were spirited, especially from the get-go." UNLV head coach Lindy La Rocque said, "We lacked a little intention and purpose in the first half, but put it together collectively and you can see the result."

UNLV's Justice Ethridge took command from the opening tip, hitting a second-chance 3-pointer for the first points. Ethridge closed the series by converting a steal into a fast-break layup and rebounding the ensuing missed 3 for another layup to give the Lady Rebels a double-digit lead. 

Ethridge scored 10 of UNLV's first 17 points and finished with 15 points on 5-of-7 field goal shooting.

Essence Booker hit three straight 3-pointers as part of 11 consecutive points that extended UNLV's lead to 28-16 by the end of the first quarter.

Booker finished with a game-high 18 points and four assists.

Grambling State, led by 17 points from Alexus Holt, matched the Lady Rebels' second quarter output for a 41-30 halftime score. The Lady Tigers survived on the edge with several catch-and-fire 3s that proved difficult to defend.

"We've got to figure out how to manifest that same energy and effort on the defensive side," La Rocque added, "and we saw it come together in the second half."

UNLV outscored Grambling State 48-19 in the second half as the Lady Rebels held all but two Lady Tigers to one field goal.

Alyssa Durazo-Frescas, making her first collegiate start, scored eight of her career-high 13 points in the third quarter. 

"She's chipped away at an opportunity (to earn a starting role) and she was thrust into it today," La Rocque siad. "She doesn't lack confidence, which is great. Every time she shoots it, I believe it's going in and, frankly, that's why she's out there."

Durazo-Frescas also counted collegiate bests with three rebounds and three assists.

Nneka Obiazor scored 12 and Desi-Rae Young added 11 points and nine rebounds as five Lady Rebels reached double figures.

The Lady Rebels travel to Orem, Utah, to begin a three-game road stretch against Utah Valley on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m. PT. 

STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV reached the free throw line 31 times, making 21 shot from the charity stripe. Conversely, Grambling State counted just 5-of-9 free throw attempts.

BIG LEAD: After pulling its starters, UNLV saw its lead expand from 27 points to 40 over the final 5 minutes. 

REBEL RUN: The Lady Rebels' reserves finished the game with a 15-0 scoring run lasting 4 minutes. Of the final 15 points, eight were second-chance opportunities and five were free throws.

MARGIN CALL: The 40-point victory is UNLV's largest over a Division I opponent since it beat Air Force 87-43 (44 points) on March 1, 2014.

THE BOUNCE BACK: Under Lindy La Rocque, the Lady Rebels are now 9-1 when following a loss. UNLV has a 19-point average margin of victory in those 10 games.

QUOTABLE: "We've got a big challenge ahead, definitely. It's one game at a time. We're playing at some good places right in the middle of finals and so we'll have some additional stressors. As a staff, I think we just have to manage that and keep it as simple as we can." - UNLV head coach Lindy La Rocque regarding the Lady Rebels' upcoming road schedule.

NEXT HOME GAME: UNLV returns to the Cox Pavilion Saturday, Dec. 18, for a 2 p.m. tip off versus the Pacific Tigers.

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 game day 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).