LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The No. 2 seeded UNLV Lady Rebels are onto the Mountain West Championship semifinals for the fifth straight season after defeating No. 7 seeded Fresno State 79-65 on Sunday evening at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Scarlet & Gray will play on Monday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. PT against the winner of No. 3 Colorado State versus No. 6 Grand Canyon.
 
The Lady Rebels (21-10) had three players in double-figures and were led by Meadow Roland's 19 points. Roland shot 7-for-11 from the field and was 5-for-8 from the charity stripe. Roland additionally led UNLV in rebounds with nine which included three huge offensive boards. Shelbee Brown was the second-leading scorer on the night with 14 points. Brown shot 6-for-8 from the field and was a perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line. Destiny Leo put up 12 points for UNLV which included four huge three-pointers. Leo was also tied for the team-lead in assists with four.
 
The Bulldogs (15-18) also had three players in double-figures and were led by Emilia Long's 19 points and seven rebounds. Danae Powell collected 17 points, while Avery Watkins at 16 points respectively.
 
HOT START: The Lady Rebels came out firing as they scored the first eight points of the game. However, the Bulldogs climbed back with six straight points to get within two. UNLV then went on a 15-5 scoring run to close out the quarter up 26-14. The Scarlet & Gray kept it rolling as they increased the lead to 17-points, 38-21, halfway through the second quarter. UNLV never let off the gas and stayed ahead by double-figures the rest of the game.
 
QUOTEABLE: "I'm really proud of our team. We are bound and determined. I like the determination of our group, credit Fresno State. We just played them last week I think, and they play really hard. Defensively they just try to mess you up. I really respect Ryan (McCarthy; Fresno State head coach) and what he's doing with the program. It's always just a tough first year, but I know they're going to continue to get better. I'm just really proud of our group. The way we started the game, that was an emphasis for us, and excited to be playing tomorrow," said head coach Lindy La Rocque.
 
OTHER NOTES:

• The Lady Rebels won all three meetings this season against the Bulldogs and have extended the overall win streak to 12 games.
• UNLV sank 12 three-pointers compared to Fresno State's seven.
• The Lady Rebels out-rebounded the Bulldogs 33-28.
• UNLV's bench out-scored Fresno State's bench 22-21.
• The Scarlet & Gray shot 50% (26 of 52) from the field for the game.
• UNLV forced 14 Fresno State turnovers and scored 19 points off them.
• Fresno State won the paint battle 32-26.

 
UP NEXT: UNLV will play on Monday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. PT against the winner of No. 3 Colorado State versus No. 6 Grand Canyon in the MW Championship semifinals.