Essence Booker scored 16 points in her final game for UNLV, but Michigan’s size proved too much as the Lady Rebels lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Basketball
Opponents have focused on junior center Desi-Rae Young all season, but the Lady Rebels are confident she can lead them to their first NCAA Tournament win since 1991.
No. 11 seed UNLV will play No. 6 Michigan on Friday at Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
UNLV (31-2) is making its second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament after repeating as Mountain West regular-season and conference tournament champion.
No. 7-seeded UNLV lost in overtime to No. 2 Boise State on Thursday, ending the Rebels’ Mountain West tournament run in the quarterfinals once again.
The No. 21 Lady Rebels have become a mid-major power under coach Lindy La Rocque and should remain one so long as she stands on their sideline.
Junior center and Desert Oasis alum Desi-Rae Young led the Lady Rebels to a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.
No. 7-seeded UNLV beat No. 10 Air Force in overtime behind a career high in points from EJ Harkless, and coach Kevin Kruger earned his first Mountain West tournament win.
The trio of Desi-Rae Young, Justice Ethridge and Essence Booker pushed UNLV past San Diego State in the Mountain West semifinals Tuesday.
Clutch free throws kept the UNLV women’s season alive. They will play for the Mountain West tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth Wednesday.
UNLV took control with a dominant second quarter en route to a decisive victory over UNR in the quarterfinals of the Mountain West women’s basketball tournament.