Thompson scores 29, keys Lady Rebels’ rally
Kelli Thompson scored eight of her 29 points during a game-ending 9-2 run that gave the UNLV women’s basketball team a 58-57 Mountain West victory over New Mexico on Saturday at Albuquerque, N.M.
Thompson, a senior guard, scored the tying and go-ahead points on two free throws with 11.9 seconds to play. She shot 5-for-11 from 3-point range and made 10 of 11 free throws.
Danielle Miller added 14 points, and Rejane Verin had six points and nine rebounds for the Lady Rebels (9-14, 5-4 MW).
UNLV trailed 55-49 with 5:16 to play, but held New Mexico to 1-for-10 shooting from there.
Thompson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game, and an Amie Callaway free throw put UNLV up 56-55 with 3:28 to play. The Lobos went back ahead on a Whitney Johnson layup, and after an empty UNLV possession, Callaway blocked a shot to give the Lady Rebels the ball with less than 40 seconds left.
With the shot clock winding down, Thompson missed a driving layup, but got the rebound — her eighth — and was fouled on the put-back attempt. She hit both free throws, and New Mexico’s Bryce Owens missed a long jumper in the final seconds.
Johnson scored 12 points to lead New Mexico (12-10, 4-5).
