UNLV had four starters in double figures and the Rebels used a 22-3 run
spanning the two halves en route to a 71-59 non-conference women's basketball
victory over host Cal State Fullerton on Saturday evening at Titan Gym.
The Titans fell to 0-7 overall and have lost their last 10 consecutive
games dating back to the end of the 2002-03 season. The Rebels improved
to 5-1 overall on the year.
Freshman Charlee Underwood led Fullerton off the bench with a career-high
15 points on 6-of-12 shooting in 21 minutes of play. Junior Catherine
Holman was the only other Titan in double figures, scoring 10 points and
narrowly missing a double-double with nine rebounds off the bench.
UNLV was led by RanDee Henry, who had 19 points and five rebounds on 7-of-8
shooting from the floor. Nikki Hitchens added 16 points and seven rebounds
and Sherry McCracklin had a double-double with 14 points (including 8-of-9
from the line) and 13 rebounds. InFini Robinson had 13 points.
Cal State Fullerton hung tough with its former Big West rivals, not letting
UNLV lead by more than five points through the first four minutes, a span
which included two ties. However a 9-0 run over the next 3:30 pushed the
Rebels' advantage to 10 points at 19-9 with 12:09 remaining.
The Titans whittled the lead back down to three points at 28-25 thanks
to a spurt that saw Fullerton outscore the Rebels, 16-9, with 2:45 remaining
in the period. However, that's where the Titans got into trouble, whistled
for seven fouls and sending UNLV to the line nine times, making every
attempt and getting a jumper from McCracklin to complete the 11-0 run
and lead, 39-25, at the break.
The Rebels continued to roll into the second half, outscoring the Titans
11-3 in the opening 7:27 of the period and building an insurmountable
23-point lead at 53-30. Cal State Fullerton would get no closer than the
12-point final margin.
The Titans shot .429 from the floor in the first half and .377 for the
game. UNLV hit on just over 45 percent from the field, including just
under 54 percent in the second half. The Rebels held a 42-36 advantage
on the boards, but half of the Titans' rebounds came on the offensive
glass.
Cal State Fullerton returns to action on Friday
night (Dec. 19) as the Titans host Fresno State at Titan Gym at 7 p.m.
in a non-conference match-up before winter break.
