FRESNO, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) — Justice Ethridge hit three consecutive 3-pointers in the second period to shake off the Lady Rebels sluggish start and lead a dominating win over Fresno State Thursday night.

UNLV (13-2 overall) started 3-0 in conference play for the first time in 11 years with a 64-49 victory over Fresno State (7-9, 0-3) at the Save Mart Center.

The Lady Rebels suffocated the Bulldogs, holding Fresno State to 29 percent field-goal shooting with countering with a 50-percent success rate.

Ethridge scored 20 points, shooting 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Desi-Rae Young collected her seventh double-double of the season with 25 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. 

"Justice is a baller," UNLV Head Coach Lindy La Rocque said. "She does whatever our team needs. Today it was hitting shots, aggressively attacking the basket and playing defense. She's confident in who she is and she stays within in that."

Ethridge scored the game's initial bucket but then UNLV suffered an 0-for-9 field-goal drought. Essence Booker came off the bench late in the period, delivering two drives-and-dishes for Young that kept the game within 3 points at the end of the first period. 

Ethridge was perfect in the second period, hitting all four field goals, including the three from beyond the arc. UNLV led 25-19 at halftime. 

"It took a little while to figure out how to play offensively, but our defense kept us in it. We gave some tremendous effort on both ends."

UNLV's offense and defense only strengthened in the second half. The Lady Rebels held the Bulldogs scoreless for 5+ minutes on three occasions. UNLV held a 21-17 rebounding edge at halftime; the margin would increase to 20 by the final whistle.

Booker was 6-of-12 from the field for 13 points and five assists. 

UNLV continues its California road trip with a visit to San Diego State on Saturday. It will be a matchup of the top two teams in the Mountain West standings after the Aztecs defeated UNR 80-70 Thursday.