ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV Lady Rebels are now atop the Mountain West with a 5-0 record after earning an 88-73 victory over New Mexico on Sunday afternoon at The Pit. The Scarlet & Gray (13-4, 5-0 MW) handed the Lobos (11-7, 4-1 MW) their first conference loss of the season. The Lady Rebels kept the MW road game streak alive and are now 21-0 against their MW opponents on their respective home courts.
Four different Lady Rebels scored in double-digits and were
McKinna Brackens' career-high 20 points. Brackens shot 8-for-12 from the field, 2-for-3 from long range and was a perfect 2-for-2 at the free throw line.
Aaliyah Alexander collected 18 points as she shot 8-for-15 from the field, made a three and was 1-for-1 at the free throw line. Alexander scored 10 of her 18 points in just the fourth quarter, as she didn't miss a shot in the final 10 minutes that helped propel the Scarlet & Gray over New Mexico.
Kiara Jackson had 17 points by shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 3-for-5 from behind the arc. Jackson dished nine assists for the third time this season, which ties her career-high.
Amarachi Kimpson drained 13 points against the Lobos.
Alyssa Brown was four rebounds shy from tying her career-high, as she brought down 15 rebounds against New Mexico. Of Brown's 15 rebounds, five were offensive and 10 were defensive.
The Lobos had three players in double-figures and were led by Destinee Hooks 27 points. Joana Magalhães was the second-leading scorer for New Mexico, putting up 16 points while Alyssa Hargrove collected 13 points, respectively. Magalhães also led the Lobos in rebounds with seven, which were all defensive.
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING RUN: As the final quarter started, New Mexico scored right away to go back on top, 60-58. UNLV answered right back with a Brackens' basket to tie the game. Destinee Hooks of New Mexico then scored four consecutive points to put the Lobos ahead 64-60. After going back-and-forth for the next few minutes, the Lady Rebels began their largest scoring run of the game. UNLV went on a 17-point scoring run, which included five three-pointers to increase the deficit to 12 at 81-69. The Lobos were able to cut the Lady Rebels' advantage to 10 points at 83-73 with 0:59 left to play. UNLV closed out the game with five straight points.
OTHER NOTES:
- In the La Rocque era, the Lady Rebels are now 6-3 against New Mexico and 3-1 against the Lobos in their home gym.
- The Lady Rebels are 5-0 to start MW play for the third straight season.
- Meadow Roland led the squad in blocks with three, which tied her career-high.
- UNLV out-shot New Mexico 47.1% (32 of 68) to 45.5% (25 of 55).
- There were five lead changes and six times that the two squads were tied.
- UNLV won the boards with 36-77.
- The Scarlet & Gray dominate the paint, yet again, having 36 of their 88 points in the paint.
- The Lady Rebels forced 15 Lobos' turnovers and scored 20 points off them.
HIGHLIGHTS:
UP NEXT: The Lady Rebels will be back in Las Vegas for the next two Mountain West games, first hosting Air Force on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. PT at the Cox Pavilion.
