LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) — Junior forward
Nneka Obiazor scored a career-high 27 points as UNLV's frontcourt bagged a 100-84 victory over Oral Roberts Friday night at the Cox Pavilion.
Obiazor hit 11 of 19 field goal attempts, including three 3-pointers, as the Lady Rebels used their depth and range to conquer the Golden Eagles' run-and-gun offense.
"We struggled a bit today, defensively," UNLV Head Coach
Lindy La Rocque said. "We're better defenders than what we showed but credit Oral Roberts—they've got some good players who got hot. It's hard to cool someone down when they're hot.
"There's a lot of good lessons to learn. And I'd rather learn them with more points."
La Rocque returned to the sidelines Friday after missing UNLV's season opener after giving birth to her first child on Nov. 3.
"I feel good," La Rocque said. "I wouldn't be back here if I didn't. I'm trying to be cautious and careful. I was at practice yesterday; I felt like it went well, felt strong enough and ready to be here today. So I was, and I'm glad I was here."
UNLV (2-0) and Oral Roberts (0-2) traded shot for shot from tip-off. Obiazor bucketed 11 of the Lady Rebels' first 15 points as the score remained even after 6 minutes.
Junior
Desi-Rae Young and sophomore
Alyssa Brown, spelling Obiazor, then delivered 8 unanswered points, granting UNLV a lead it would carry to the final buzzer.
Young finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and a career-high seven assists. Brown totaled a career-high 15 points and eight rebounds.
UNLV led 51-42 at halftime.
ORU's eagerness to wear out UNLV's starting lineup begat its downfall. UNLV's bench scored 27 points, many of the shots igniting spurts of scoring runs that kept momentum with the home team.
Freshman guard Jasmyn Lott dropped a layup in the latter minutes of the third period to extend the lead to 13. At the start of the fourth period, Brown drew foul shots and converted a turnover on the next possession into a 3 to push UNLV's lead to 16. Brown buried a second 3 for an 18-point advantage with 5 ½ to play.
UNLV scored 52 points in the paint, contributing to a 54 percent field-goal shooting performance, and out-rebounded ORU 44-33.
Hannah Cooper scored 39 points for Oral Roberts. Cooper hit 13 of 15 free throws.
Essence Booker totaled 14 points and six assists.
It was the fourth meeting between the two schools. UNLV has won each contest.
The Lady Rebels continue their homestand Wednesday, Nov. 16, hosting Utah Valley at 4 p.m.
