OREM, Utah (UNLVRebels.com) — With its top two performers in foul trouble early on a hostile court, UNLV would be forgiven for switching on cruise control until halftime.

Instead the Lady Rebels pounded the accelerator for their second straight wire-to-wire victory, wrecking Utah Valley 73-63 at the UCCU Center Wednesday evening.

Essence Booker scored a game-high 16 points while Desi-Rae Young and Khayla Rooks added 13 apiece. 

Those points came largely in the second half as the Lady Rebels relied on its supporting cast.

Forward Khayla Rooks scored 5 of UNLV's first 10 and Kiara Jackson came off the bench for 9 first-half points to power the Lady Rebels as they built a double-digit lead.

Rooks finished with 13 points, her highest total since UNLV's season opener, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.

UNLV led 36-26 at halftime.

One minute into the second half, UVU's Kayla Anderson elbowed Young in the jaw during a transition setup. The result was an intentional foul and 4 quick points as Booker connected on her free throws and UNLV retained possession. Rooks fed Justice Ethridge's floater for a 14-point advantage.

Ethridge totaled 8 points and three assists.

Young shook off the thumping and delivered her own as play resumed, forcing her way through the paint to earn two foul shots and then connecting on a pull-up jumper the next turn down the court.

Reserve forward Nneka Obiazor powered in the paint for four points and three rebounds in the fourth quarter as UNLV used an 11-2 scoring run to take a 73-50 lead with 4:26 to play.

Obiazor finished the contest with eight points and eight rebounds.

The Lady Rebels next visit Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. PT.