UNLV started the game off with high intensity on both ends of the floor.
On the offensive end, the Lady Rebels were off to a hot start with Rodjanae Wade making the first six points at the start of the first quarter. Bailey Thomas also scored back-to-back three point shots, giving them a six point lead with 4:45 left in the first quarter.
Before the first quarter ended, UNLVs’ Wade was already on double-double watch recording six points and seven rebounds. The Lady Rebels turned over the ball six times in the first quarter.
San Jose State could not guard UNLVs’ Wade one-on-one and were forced to trap down low in the paint to force Wade to make difficult shots. At the end of the first quarter the game was tied at 14 apiece.
In the second quarter, the Lady Rebels opened the quarter with back-to-back turnovers allowing the Spartans to get transition baskets. UNLV went with the hot hand early on but were unable to connect with Wade in the post. They continued to miss free throws and turnover the ball continuously.
At halftime the Spartans took a seven point lead against the Lady Rebels 34-27.
Coming out of halftime, UNLVs’ humbled Rodjanae Wade aka ‘Ms. Double-Double’ embraces her new nickname that fans now call her. She claimed the schools’ record with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the third quarter. Her 21st double-double made her tied for second in the nation and tied the All-Time record for the Mountain West Women’s Basketball.
By the end of the game Wade posted another career performance double-double recording 26 points and 21 rebounds.
After the game Wade was asked about embracing her new nickname.
“It’s a good feeling, it didn’t end the way I wanted it too,” said Wade. “It’s still a good accomplishment.”
The Spartans shot at a high volume in the game shooting 40% from three-point range. While on the other hand UNLV shot just above 18% from deep.
The Lady Rebels continued to struggle to shoot the ball only scoring seven points in the third quarter. They also shot 33% from the field and 38% from the free throw line.
UNLVs top defense in the Mountain West took on the challenge of guarding the Spartans from beyond the arc but were unable to stop them. The Spartans led by 14 points and at the end of the third quarter 48-34.
In the fourth quarter, it was icing on the cake for the Lady Rebels to lose for the third time against the Spartans this season. The team was unable to make shots and allowed the Spartans to run away with the win 67-48.
The season will end for the Lady Rebels at the Mountain West tournament. A young Lady Rebel team will have to refocus their strategy for next season if they want to move past their Mountain West loss.
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