LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV nearly pulled off an amazing comeback in the final seconds after forcing a late tie, until UNR's De'Ja Hamilton sank a NBA range with 1.4 seconds left to give the Wolf Pack a 73-70 victory over the Lady Rebels Monday afternoon from the Cox Pavilion. With the loss, the Lady Rebels' three-game win streak was snapped, and sent them back down to fourth place in the Mountain West standings at 6-4 (8-7 overall). If the teams do not meet again in the MW Tournament, both will earn 1.5 points in the Silver State Series, the all-sports competition between the two schools sponsored by BEW and Nevada Donor Network.
UNLV had chances to take double-digit leads in the first half, but poor free throw shooting kept the Wolf Pack in the game. The Lady Rebels were just 4-of-7 in the first quarter, and 9-of-14 in the second, for a 61.9% (13-of-21), while the Wolf Pack made nine of their 10 attempts, and made a shot just past half court at the halftime buzzer to close within two, 34-32. That came on top of a three-pointer to end the first to cut UNLV's lead to just 18-14. The lead would change hands four times in the third quarter that ended in a 48-48 tie.
THE TURNING POINT: Jade Thomas drained a three-pointer for a 58-55 lead at the 7:30 mark. UNLV would not score again for over a five-minute span, and the Wolf Pack took advantage with a 9-0 run, off back-to-back treys and a three-point play for a 64-58 edge with 2:19 to play.
THE FINAL SECONDS: The game looked lost when UNR went up 70-66 after going 1-of-2 at the line with 18 seconds left, but on the other end, Nia Johnson drained a three while Desi-Rae Young was fouled under the basket at the same time. Johnson's basket was counted and Young went to the line for two shots, making 1-of-2 to tie the game at 70-70 with 11 seconds to go. UNR then had one layup attempt blocked out of bounds with five seconds left, before finding Hamilton for the game-winner. UNLV would advance the ball but Johnson's long three-point attempt was off the rim.
LADY REBEL OF THE GAME: For the second-straight game, Johnson posted a game-high 28 points, going 8-of-14 from the floor, 6-of-10 from three-point range and 6-of-6 at the free throw line.
STAT OF THE GAME: UNR ended the first, second and fourth quarters with a three-pointer with two seconds or less on the clock.
QUOTEABLE: "Another hard-fought battle, it felt like a bloodbath there for a little while. Both teams played very hard and competitive today. Unfortunately the ball didn't bounce our way at the end, just didn't have enough points, while UNR made some clutch plays near the end. But that's not what hurt us, it was rebounds early in the game, offensive execution, and free throw shooting in the first half. We're going to stay positive, we have to, we will learn from this and move forward because we have to go to Air Force now. They are a very similar team to UNR so we have to be prepared for that." - UNLV head coach Lindy La Rocque
LADY REBEL NOTES
* - This was the first-ever regular season loss to UNR in Las Vegas for the Lady Rebels, and second all-time. UNLV is now 22-2 all-time against the Wolf Pack in Las Vegas, 38-13 overall.
* - Young was the next highest scorer for UNLV with 14 points, while Jade Thomas added 11.
* - UNLV was outrebounded by UNR for the second straight game, this time by a 35-33 margin.
* - The Lady Rebels were held to 40.8% shooting (20-of-49) from the floor, but did make 10-of-26 from three-point range (38.5%).
* - UNLV took 30 trips to the line but missed 10 of them, finishing 20-of-30 for 66.7%.
* - UNLV also turned the ball over 16 times (to 13 for the Wolf Pack), and were outscored 13-7 on points off turnovers.
* - There were a total of 10 lead changes and 12 ties in the contest.
NEXT TIME OUT: UNLV will play six of its final eight regular season games on the road, starting with two games in Colorado Springs, Colorado against Air Force this weekend. The first game will tip off at 5 pm on Friday, with the second game slated for a 12 pm tip.
