FRESNO, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) — Â
Alyssa Durazo-Frescas hit six 3-pointers for a career-high 18 points and
Desi-Rae Young added 14 as the Lady Rebels began conference play with a road victory.
UNLV (9-3, 1-0 Mountain West) took a 73-63 win against Fresno State (4-8, 0-1) Tuesday night at the Save Mart Center.
"Our defensive effort was maybe the best I've ever seen," UNLV head women's basketball coach
Lindy La Rocque said.
UNLV held Fresno State to 37 percent shooting from the field and an 8-for-21 mark from 3-point range. The Lady Rebels grabbed 13 more rebounds than the Bulldogs, limiting Fresno State to just 11 second-chance points.
Justice Ethridge and
Alyssa Durazo-Frescas combined for five 3s in the first period. With a 16-15 advantage, Ethridge flushed the spot 3 and then forced a turnover on Fresno State's next possession to feed Durazo-Frecas from long range as part of an 11-4 run to finish the quarter.
Young, the Lady Rebels' leading scorer, sat the final 4 ½ minutes of the first period after landing hard on her back while attempting a rebound. In her absence, UNLV picked up the pace.
"In the first half, we wanted to go inside," La Rocque said, "but we were going inside and kicking it out to some shooters. Obviously making shots opens up the game quickly."
UNLV shut down Fresno State's top offensive threat in the first half, limiting Haley Cavinder to 4 points. The Lady Rebels led 46-31 at halftime.
Fresno State fought back in the third period. The Bulldogs trimmed the margin to 4 and converted five UNLV turnovers into 6 points.
"They're a high-powered offensive team, so it wasn't about trying to slow their runs but making sure we respond with some of our own runs. They controlled the third quarter, but our response showed a lot of toughness."
UNLV's top-billed cast took over in the fourth to secure the victory.
Essence Booker slipped her defender for a driving layup, then dished a Durazo-Frescas' 3-point before Young scored 8 straight to create a 13-point cushion with 5 ½ remaining.
"It didn't come down to one person, one play, but everyone executing on every possession to their best possible ability."
Durazo-Frescas' career night included collegiate bests in 6-of-9 3-point field goal shooting and six rebounds.
Young was 7-of-11 from the field and grabbed nine rebounds.
Nneka Obiazor came off the bench for 13 points and nine rebounds.
The Lady Rebels shot 50 percent from the field, including 59 percent from 3-point range.
Haley Cavinder led Fresno State with 19 points on 9-of-20 shooting.
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TRI-UMPH: The victory was UNLV's third straight on the Bulldogs' home court after sweeping Fresno State last season.
INDIE 500: Sophomore center
Desi-Rae Young has now scored 500 career points in her 36th collegiate game. Only four #LadyRebels have reached the milestone in fewer games—Linda Frolich (1999-2002), Randee Hendry (2004-05), Pauline Jordan (1988-90) and Debra Waddy (1976-77).
NEXT GAME: UNLV returns to the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas to host Wyoming on New Year's Eve, Friday, Dec. 31, at 2 p.m.
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