The Lady Rebels of UNLV made a commanding statement on the court Wednesday afternoon, rebounding from their recent setback with a decisive victory over the UCF Knights, by a score of 71-52. Reporting by News 3 LV highlights that the win at the UNLV Thanksgiving Classic improved the Lady Rebels' record to 5-2 for the season.
Leading the charge for UNLV was sophomore forward McKinna Brackens who, according to UNLV Rebels News, put up a career-high 19 points and 14 rebounds. Brackens's performance was not just about numbers; she was a force on the defensive glass, snagging 12 defensive boards to set the tone for the game. Amarachi Kimpson also played a pivotal role with her 18 points, keeping the momentum in the Lady Rebels’ favor.
The statistical rundown revealed a distinct advantage for UNLV, with the team shooting an impressive 50% from the field and 46.7% from behind the arc. In stark contrast, UCF struggled to find their rhythm, shooting a mere 29.0% from the field throughout the contest. The Lady Rebels also out-rebounded the Knights 45-40, further cementing their dominance on the court that afternoon, as reported by UNLV Rebels News.
UNLV's head coach Lindy La Rocque expressed her pride in the team's comeback. She said, "This was a bounce back game for us. We've been working really hard since our last game on being focused on what we need to improve upon and I'm extremely proud of our group for coming out here and doing it," in a statement obtained by UNLV Rebels News. La Rocque also lauded Brackens for her hard work and improvement from her freshman year. It wasn't just the stars who received praise, as the coach highlighted the contributions from players like Erica Collins, who "was huge in the game getting minutes in both halves and being a force in the battle."
The win signifies more than just an addition to the win column for the Lady Rebels; it's a moment that evens the all-time series with UCF at one win a piece and sets a forward-looking tone as the Lady Rebels continue to navigate the season. With high-performing players and a dedicated coach at the helm, UNLV's women's basketball team is shaping up to be a group that can't be easily dismissed.
