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Lady Rebels maintain basketball dominance over UNR

The UNLV women's basketball team has dominated its intrastate rivalry with UNR. But to the Lady Rebels, it's 0-0.

"Honestly, I have no idea what the numbers are," Dakota Gonzalez said. "I just know you do not lose to Reno."

Domination might be putting it nicely when the series comes to Cox Pavilion.

The Lady Rebels improved to 17-0 at home and 32-7 all time against their foe from the north after defeating the Wolf Pack 65-59 on Saturday in Mountain West play.

UNLV coach Kathy Olivier didn't want to be reminded about the undefeated home streak against UNR.

"We don't go there," said Olivier, who's 10-1 against UNR in her eight seasons at UNLV. "We just know you better be ready to play when you're facing your in-state rival."

The Lady Rebels were cruising for most of the game, leading by as many as 18 points in the second half, but saw their lead cut to four in the finals seconds.

Stephanie Schmid hit a 3-pointer to cut the Lady Rebels' lead to 63-59 with 35 seconds left.

"I was expecting high intensity," said Gonzalez, who played in her first UNLV-UNR game. "That's exactly what we got. We came out hot early and held on at the end."

Gonzalez scored a team-high 17 points with four rebounds and three assists. Nikki Wheatley contributed 12 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

UNLV (11-7, 4-3 Mountain West) extended its winning streak to three games and moved to fourth place in the conference standings.

Aley Rohde returned for the first time since injuring her right foot Jan. 6 during a shoot-around before the Lady Rebels faced Colorado State. Rohde, who missed five games, scored five points off the bench in 14 minutes.

"I was trying to get a feel and get back into rhythm," said Rohde, senior center and top rebounder on the team. "I'll get more time against Boise State when I face Marijke."

Marijke Vanderschaaf is the 6-foot-3-inch center for the Broncos, who are third in the conference.

"These two have battled in Aley's four years," Olivier said. "We'll need Aley for that game."

Wheatley, who stands 5-5 and often is the shortest player on the court, led the Lady Rebels in rebounds for the second straight game. She is averaging seven rebounds a game and has grabbed 50 in the past six games since Rohde's injury.

"Nikki can step up in rebounds even if I'm there," Rohde said. "I see her flying after rebounds, and I let her have them. I'm not fighting those muscles and jump. She's an incredible athlete."

Gonzalez opened the first quarter with 11 points on five-for-six shooting. The redshirt sophomore guard drained her first three jumpers and used screens from teammates to get open looks around the perimeter. Brooke Johnson scored 11 points, all coming in the second half.

Schmid led UNR (3-15, 2-5) with 23 points and six rebounds.

Gonzalez and her teammate and twin, Dylan, go back home to Idaho to face the Broncos on Wednesday.

"We're expecting a lot of people," Dakota Gonzalez said.

— Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow him on Twitter: @gmanzano24.

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