Thompson’s surge leads Lady Rebels to 59-51 MWC win at New Mexico

The UNLV women's basketball team stifled New Mexico early, then held off a second-half rally for a 59-51 victory Saturday at Albuquerque, N.M.

Kelli Thompson scored five of her team-high 15 points consecutively to give the Lady Rebels a 45-38 lead after New Mexico had pulled to within two with 12:28 remaining.

Thompson also had seven rebounds, and Sandrine Nzeukou supplied 10 points and 11 rebounds for UNLV (9-11, 2-4 Mountain West Conference). Erica Helms also scored 10.

The Lady Rebels pulled away from a 2-2 tie with a 15-2 run as New Mexico missed 19 consecutive shots.

Caroline Durbin led the Lobos (6-11, 0-5) with 12 points. Amanda Best had 11.

UNLV shot 32.7 percent (18-for-55) but held New Mexico to 23.5 percent (16-for-68).