SAN DIEGO, California (UNLVRebels.com) -  UNLV jumped out to a 20-point halftime lead and rolled on from there for an 80-65 victory at San Diego State Monday afternoon in Mountain West women's basketball action from Viejas Arena. With the victory, the Lady Rebels improved to 10-5 in conference play, clinching that head coach Lindy La Rocque will become the first coach in team history to post a winning conference record in their first year at UNLV, as there are just three games left in the league schedule. 

Four Lady Rebels (12-8 overall) finished in double-figures, while UNLV shot 47.5% for the game, and 40.9% (9-of-22) from three-point range. SDSU meanwhile was held to 39.7% shooting (25-of-63) for the afternoon. That included a first half in which the Aztecs were limited to 33.3% (10-of-30) from the floor.

THE TURNING POINT: Though UNLV dominated most of the first quarter, it was just a 2-point game in the first seconds until Nia Johnson buried a trey from the corner to put the Lady Rebs up 14-9. SDSU then opened the second quarter with a jumper to close within 14-11. That would be the last Aztec point for the next five minutes, as UNLV forced three turnovers and three missed shots. Johnson meanwhile hit a trey that started a 13-0 run over that stretch. Delaynie Byrne added four points during the run, while Desi-Rae Young's free throw capped the run for a 27-11 advantage with 4:52 on the clock. UNLV would extend the lead to as high as 24 in the final minute of the half before going into the break up 43-23.

LADY REBEL OF THE GAME: Johnson led all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-22 shooting, including 4-of-9 from three-point range. She also added five rebounds and three steals in the victory.

STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV outscored San Diego State by 18 from three-point range (nine made three-pointers to three for SDSU). The Lady Rebels also held a 43-33 edge on the boards.

QUOTEABLE:  "One down, one to go here on the road. I was really proud of how we started the game. We came out right from the games, pushing in transition, attacking the basket, we were able to knock down some shots, but what won us the game was our defense. Rebounding, defending the three-point line, just overall a strong defensive game by us today. I'm proud of our effort but I told our team we left some things out there today. We have to know they are going to bring it tomorrow though, it's a quick turnaround so we have to be ready." - UNLV head coach Lindy La Rocque

LADY REBEL NOTES  

* - UNLV extended its road win streak to six games, which is tied for the 10th longest active win streak in the nation. 

* - UNLV's 6-0 road record for the 2020-21 season is the fifth-best in the nation.

* - The Lady Rebels have posted double-digit victories in conference play for the fourth time in the past five years.

* - UNLV is now fourth in the nation in most free throws made this season after going 13-of-19 from the line to give them 326 for the year.

* - Bryne and Desi-Rae Young just missed out on double-doubles for a second straight game, finishing with 15 points and eight rebounds, and 12 points and nine rebounds respectively.

* - Anna Blount also posted double-figures off the bench with 11.

* - Bailey Thomas finished with eight assists and no turnovers.

* - UNLV's 20 assists in the game was a season-high.

NEXT TIME OUT: UNLV will play the second of the two-game series with the Aztecs Tuesday with a 3 pm start at the Viejas Arena.