Lady Rebels end three-game losing streak with 82-80 win

The UNLV women’s basketball team snapped its three-game losing streak with an 82-80 Mountain West victory over Utah State on Saturday at Cox Pavilion.

Senior guard Rmanii Haynes hit four free throws in the final 83 seconds for the decisive points.

The Lady Rebels (10-14, 7-5 MW) also ended their three-game shooting slump by hitting 50 percent (27 of 54) from the field against the Aggies (10-14, 4-9). UNLV had shot less than 33 percent during its losing streak.

Four Lady Rebels scored in double figures, led by Alana Cesarz with 18 points. Aley Rohde had 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots, reserve Rejane Verin added 12 points and three blocks, and Mia Bell scored 10.

UNLV hit 84 percent (21 of 25) from the free-throw line and blocked nine shots, but also committed 24 turnovers.

The Lady Rebels led 69-59 with 9 minutes, 38 seconds left, but Utah State rallied to take a 79-77 lead with 3:01 remaining. In the final 2:31, Haynes grabbed an offensive rebound, hit two free throws, made a steal and hit two more free throws, giving UNLV an 81-79 lead with 1:23 left.

The Lady Rebels then held on for their first victory since Jan. 29.

“Down the stretch I thought we did a really good job of getting to the free-throw line and making our shots,” UNLV coach Kathy Olivier said. “Rmanii’s key steal and free throws, you have to make free throws down the stretch. In the first half, we played team basketball, everyone contributed, and our posts had really great energy.”

Aggies guard Jennifer Schlott, who leads the Mountain West in scoring (24.6 points per game) and assists (6.0), finished with 30 points and seven assists.