Lady Rebels roll past Falcons

Without its best player, new and improved Air Force resembled the old, awful Falcons on Saturday.

The UNLV women’s basketball team took full advantage, with 10 Lady Rebels scoring in a 58-48 victory at Cox Pavilion, their 21st victory in 23 meetings.

Dominique Harris and Brittany Halberg led UNLV (6-9, 2-0 Mountain West Conference) with nine points apiece. It was the first time the Lady Rebels have won without a player scoring in double figures, according to the school’s sports information department.

“We looked at conference as a new beginning,” Harris said. “That was our new concept — the team. I think that definitely was a big factor, the balance.”

UNLV improved to 12-0 at home in the series. But Air Force (6-8, 0-2) has been more competitive this season than in the past and could crack double figures in victories for just the second time in 12 seasons.

The Falcons sorely missed Alecia Steele, though. The forward, who did not make the trip because of a sprained right ankle, leads the team with 14.4 points per game and averages a conference-best 8.8 rebounds.

The Lady Rebels made sure they didn’t waste their opportunity, shooting 63.6 percent to build a 31-18 halftime lead.

“All wins are good wins,” coach Regina Miller said. “It gives us some confidence and momentum going on the road.”

UNLV next visits Brigham Young on Wednesday.

The Lady Rebels’ victory could have been even more convincing. But they committed 20 turnovers and, after pushing their lead to 58-38 with 2:51 left, allowed the Falcons to end the game with 10 consecutive points.

“It’d have been nice if we could’ve closed better, but at the end of the game, I think I had all freshmen on the court,” Miller said. “The positive thing is they got some experience tonight. But you always want to make a statement if you can to the other teams that are watching in the conference.”

Pamela Findlay led Air Force with 11 points and six rebounds.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2914.