UNLV DROPS FIRST GAME OF SERIES WITH BOISE STATE
Lady Rebels look to split with the Broncos Thursday in Game Two
@UNLVLadyRebels on Twitter | UNLV Box Score | Postgame Zoom Press Conference With Head Coach Lindy La Rocque
UNLV had no answer for Boise State guard Jade Loville, as the junior scored a school-record 40 points to lead the Broncos past the Lady Rebels 85-59 Wednesday afternoon in Mountain West women’s basketball action from the Cox Pavilion. Despite the loss, UNLV remains in fourth place in the MW standings at 8-5, though now just one game ahead of Boise State (7-6).
The Lady Rebels started the game cold, hitting just 4-of-15 (26.7%) in the first quarter, while the Broncos opened up a 22-10 edge. The shooting did not get better in the second, with UNLV making 4-of-17 (23.5%). Boise State meanwhile finished the first half 22-of-39 for 55%, and a 45-23 lead. The margin grew as high as 33 for the Broncos, while the closest UNLV came in the second half was 22 three times, all early in the third.
STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV was held under 28% shooting from the floor in the first three quarters. Boise State meanwhile shot over 55% in the first three quarters. For the game, the Lady Rebels finished 19-of-63 (30.2%) and allowed the Broncos to make 38-of-74 for 51.4%.
QUOTEABLE: “Well, we would have liked to have a better performance to honor our senior Bailey (Thomas). But it got going in all the wrong direction pretty much right away. We weren’t very good in several areas. Credit them and their aggressiveness, Jade Lovelle is capable of doing 40 points any game and unfortunately she did that today. But it wasn’t about them, it was just as much about us, mentally and physically we just weren’t there. I know it’s been a long stretch for us, but it has for them as well. The good/bad thing is we have to play them in 24 hours again. We are much better than we showed today, I know our team feels and knows that, we have to come out tomorrow and rewrite a different script.” – UNLV head coach Lindy La Rocque
LADY REBEL NOTES
* – UNLV came into the game leading the league in rebound margin, but were outrebounded 52-33.
* – Nia Johnson led UNLV in scoring with 12 points, while Desi-Rae Young was next with eight.
* – For the third straight game, UNLV strugged from three-point range, connecting on just 3-of-20.
* – UNLV has not been swept in a conference series this season. This marked the first time the Lady Rebels have lost the opening game of a MW series.
NEXT TIME OUT: UNLV plays the second game of the Boise State series on Thursday at 2 pm.
