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UNLV forward Delaynie Burn’s 23 points was not enough against guard Antonia Anderson and the New Mexico Lobos, splitting back-to-back matchups.
The UNLV Lady Rebels were shocked by New Mexico Sunday, 81-73 Jan. 17, at the Cox Pavilion.
“Obviously disappointed with the loss today,” head coach Lindy La Rocque said. “I was proud of our fight and effort in the fourth quarter, but a basketball game is four quarters, and we need to have that same effort and intensity for the same three. Collectively as a group we have to figure out what it was and make changes. We knew how good New Mexico was and are, and they showed it today.
After taking a loss to the Lobos, the Lady Rebels are alone in fifth in the Mountain West Conference with a 3-3 record. They sit behind Colorado State and Fresno State, both of whom are tied for fourth with a 4-3 record.
UNLV moves to 5-6 overall and will hit the road for the first of two straight against Utah State.
The first game is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 25, while the second game will be played on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
Both games are scheduled to tip-off at 5 pm.
The Lady Rebels struggled for the first three quarters on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, UNLV could not slow down New Mexico’s high scoring offense, as the Lobos built a lead as large as 23 points.
There were moments where the Lady Rebels could not buy a basket which resulted in the Lobos going on two huge runs that stretched the lead just before halftime.
UNLV searched to find a game plan to slow New Mexico’s Anderson, who was on a mission to give her team the victory.
“They had a couple of players get hot and we didn't have the same energy and bounce to our steps as we needed,” La Rocque said. “We've been spoiled with a run of home games, now we have to go on the road to Utah State for our next games so excited to see what our first road trip brings us."
The fourth quarter saw UNLV turn into a scrappy defensive team attempting to cut down into the lead.
The Lady Rebels’ defense resulted in offense but it was too little, too late.
Before UNLV’s 13-0 run to end the third quarter and start the fourth, the team struggled shooting 5-of-24 from three; which is their lowest percentage of the season.
The team missed its first 21 attempts before cashing in on its first make.
The Lady Rebels cut the lead to six points with 16 seconds left, although their effort came late in the game, the team showed a valiant effort before the curtains finally closed.
UNLV still had trouble taking care of the ball with 20 turnovers in the game.
The Lady Rebels will need better communication and control the ball without turning it over so much before they can prove to be a top tier team in the Mountain West.