UNLV flipped a slow start into an 85-59 win over Fresno State on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at the Thomas & Mack Center. The Lady Rebels dropped the first quarter 14-12. However, UNLV blasted open the game by outscoring the Bulldogs 27-11 in the second and never let Fresno State back in it.
“Defense and rebounding leads to offensive points and transitions,” UNLV guard Mariah Elohim told UNLV Radio’s Wyatt Tomchek after the win.
Second quarter, new game
Fresno State’s pressure bothered UNLV early, but the Lady Rebels settled in after the first break and started getting clean looks. UNLV stacked stops, pushed the pace and carried a 39-25 lead into halftime.
Then the offense stayed on time. UNLV shot 52.5% from the field and handed out 19 assists, keeping the ball moving even as the margin grew in the second half.
Rebound first, run second
UNLV controlled the glass 38-30 and grabbed 11 offensive rebounds, which helped turn defense into extra possessions. The Lady Rebels scored 12 second-chance points and piled up 38 points in the paint. As a result, Fresno State never found a rhythm, shooting 37.5% and going 2-of-12 from 3.
Elohim scored a game-high 17 against her former program. UNLV also got 15 points from Shelbee Brown, 15 from Jasmyn Lott, 14 from Meadow Roland and 13 from Aaliyah Alexander, giving the Lady Rebels five players in double figures.
Up next for the Scarlet and Grey
UNLV hits the road for a Mountain West matchup at Air Force on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 12 p.m. PT at the USAF Academy in Colorado. After that, the Lady Rebels return to The Pavilion to host Utah State on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m. PT. Next, UNLV goes back on the road to face Wyoming on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 1 p.m. PT in Laramie, Wyoming.
