The UNLV Lady Rebels pulled through with a 64-63 victory Wednesday, Feb. 9
vs. the Fresno State Bulldogs team to extend their win streak to 14 straight.
The Lady Rebels shot only 2-12 from beyond the arc however a 3-pointer by Alyssa Durazo-Frescas with 12 seconds to go in regulation was the game-winning shot.
While the Bulldogs would post four double-digit scorers on the night in Aimee Book, Yanina,
Todorova, Keely Brown, and Amaya West.
UNLV’s only double-digit scorer was Desi-Rae Young. Young finished the game with 22 points and seven rebounds.
“I thought we didn’t get her the ball enough. Desi was phenomenal,” Head Coach Lindy La Rocque said. “I don’t think she made the same move twice. She knows she’s our anchor and she continues to deliver, but I think what’s most impressive is she trusts her teammates. She does her job, whether that is making the basket or making the pass.”
Early in the first quarter Yanina Todorova made a 3-pointer to give Fresno State a 5-2 lead.
In the backend of the first quarter, Durazo-Frescas made a 3-pointer followed up by a fast break layup for Justice Ethridge to give the Lady Rebels a 12-7 lead.
The 3-pointer by Durazo-Frescas was the only one made in the first half.
“Early I think we had some great looks, maybe one bad shot or two, but that’s just how it goes,” La Rocque said.
Kelly Brown scored a 3-pointer to tie the game for Fresno State 16-16 with just over one minute remaining in the first quarter.
Young made a buzzer-beater layup to break the tie to give the Lady Rebels an 18-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Midway through the second quarter Fresno State had a 7-0 scoring run which gave them a 23-22 lead.
At the end of the first half, Kiara Jackson made a buzzer-beater at the half to give the Lady Rebels a 32-31 lead.
Jackson finished the game with 4-5 shooting for 9 points and three assists.
“Kiara has had some huge games for us,” La Rocque said. “She came in there when we needed the offense and she did her job so I’m just really proud of her for that.”
The third quarter stayed close with neither team having a lead that was larger than one possession.
A steal by Essence Booker and a foul by Kelly Brown led to Kenadee Winfrey making two free throws to give the Lady Rebels a 47-46 lead going into the fourth quarter.
With just over 30 seconds to go in the fourth quarter, Todorova made a layup to give the Bulldogs a 63-61 lead.
After a timeout by the Lady Rebels, Young made a touch pass to Durazo-Frescas for the game-winning 3-point shot.
“It was drawn up for Desi-rae Young to get a quick two,” Durzao-Frescas said. “She trusted me and she had confidence in me and that really meant a lot to me so I had to make it for her.”
The Lady Rebels will take on the Broncos Friday at 1 p.m. at ExtraMile arena. The Lady Rebels took victory in their last matchup against the Broncos 73-61.
