UNLV closes road trip 1-2 after last-minute miscues at Northwestern

UNLV had a tough start and an even tougher finish resulting in a second loss in three games amidst this road trip.

The Lady Rebels fell short against the Northwestern Wildcats in overtime, 79-76, Wednesday, Dec. 18 to conclude a three-game road trip. Entering play, UNLV was coming off its first road win of the season.

With the 1-2 finish on the road trip, the Lady Rebs now sport a 7-4 overall record this season.

One more non-conference game remains on the schedule for UNLV as it will wrap up the slate with a date with UC Riverside. That game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 21.

With no lead larger than four through the first three quarters, UNLV went on an 8-0 run early in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 65 apiece before going up by two points soon after.

The Lady Rebels won the fourth quarter, 19-15, and held a two-point lead with the shot clock turned off. One game after having perhaps her best outing with UNLV, fifth-year senior guard Aaliyah Alexander was blocked attempting a shot late with less than 15 seconds left in the overtime session.

Northwestern would haul in the rebound and take a timeout before taking the lead by the next timeout taken. A pair of free throws would push the home team’s lead to three points before a final turnover by sophomore guard Amarachi Kimpson ended UNLV’s chances at regaining control.

The Wildcats won the rebounding battle, 44-39, but really made its bones with timely offensive rebounds. With under 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the team reeled in three straight offensive rebounds. On the final lead change of the game, Northwestern took the lead on a put back following an offensive rebound.

This year’s Lady Rebel team is 7-0 when it wins the rebounding battle this season but have lost every game where it fails to accomplish it.

Despite the last second turnover in the loss, Kimpson led all scorers with 28 points on a very efficient 9-for-14 from the field.

As a team, UNLV shot just 5-for-17 from the floor in the first quarter including going without a point for more than two minutes of the 10-minute opening frame. By the final buzzer, Northwestern outshot its Mountain West opponent, 45% to 38% while both teams combined to shoot 7-for-34 from three-point range.