LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — In the biggest game the Lady Rebels have played in years, a hometown star shined brightest.
Essence Booker scored a career-high 31 points to lead UNLV (16-4 overall, 8-1 Mountain West) to a 85-79 over New Mexico (17-5, 8-1) and into first place in the Mountain West standings Thursday night at Cox Pavilion.
"We knew what was resting on this game," UNLV head women's basketball coach
Lindy La Rocque said. "We didn't shy away from it."
The Lady Rebels' victory ended a nine-game winning streak by New Mexico and exacted revenge after falling to the Lobos in Albuquerque on Jan. 3.
New Mexico paced the game early as UNLV struggled with matchups as starting forward
Khayla Rooks sat out with a foot injury. Shaiquel McGruder scored nine straight points for the Lobos, while Booker's 9 first-period points were all UNLV managed.
"I was frustrated in the first quarter because some things weren't working," Booker said. "I felt I needed to change the momentum going into the second quarter and get the team involved."
Seven Lady Rebels scored during a 17-2 second-period run that UNLV used to upend a 10-point deficit and reach halftime down 34-32.
"In little ways it felt like we were playing without our brain out there–without Khayla–so I think even the players kind of had to adjust to that. In the second half we really got it going," La Rocque said.
Freshman guard
Alyssa Durazo-Frescas scored 12 points in the third quarter, making three of four 3-point attempts, as the lead changed sides five times in the period.
Durazo-Frescas sliced through the lane, drawing a foul on a layup to give the Lady Rebels their first lead of the game, 43-42, with six minutes remaining in the third.
Alyssa Brown, who scored a career-high 8 points, caught an inbounds pass for a layup before the teams traded scores for the next 5 minutes.
Booker took over the final 10 minutes, showering the basket with everything from and-1 driving layups to pull-up jumpers to 3-pointers, for 11 points.
New Mexico tied the score 67-67 on free throws before UNLV caught fire once more.
Justice Ethridge slipped the defense with a reverse layup and then blocked Jaedyn De La Cerda's try on the other end. Durazo Frescas buried a long 3 to put UNLV up 74-69 with 3 ½ to play.
UNLV freshman
Kiara Jackson picked LaTascya Duff's dribble and drew a foul, putting UNLV up 7 after banking two free throws.
McGruder wouldn't let the Lady Rebels sneak away, scoring 6 unanswered before Paula Reus evened the game 79-79 with just under 1 minute remaining.
Desi-Rae Young battled through the paint for a layup and then the Lady Rebels locked down on defense and forced a desperation turnover as the game clock wound to zero.
Booker's career night celebrated a career milestone as the junior guard crossed 1,000 career points in the game.
"She's just a gamer, a warrior," La Rocque said. "I never worry about her offense. I know we're going to execute."
Durazo-Frescas finished the game with 15 points. Young totaled nine points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and Ethridge added eight points and two blocks.
UNLV won't have much time to celebrate its victory. The Lady Rebels host Air Force, winners of three of their last four games, Saturday at 2 p.m.
24 FOR 31:
Essence Booker's 31 points are the most by a Lady Rebel since Dakota Gonzalez also scored 31 in a 63-55 at San Jose State on Feb. 11, 2017.
AT THE PEAK: The victory establishes the Lady Rebels as the potential No. 1 seed for the Mountain West Championship tournament should both UNLV and New Mexico finish the regular season undefeated. Seeding tie-breakers would exhaust to the highest NCAA NET ranking, which UNLV carries at present.
UNSUNG HEROES: UNLV's freshmen ignited several scoring runs as they contributed heavily to both the offensive and defensive performances. The quartet combined for 33 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
SECOND CHANCE: UNLV reversed a contributing factor to its January loss to New Mexico when the Lobos scored 19 second-chance points in a game won by 3. Thursday night, UNLV allowed just six offensive rebounds to UNM for six second-chance points.
