STOCKTON, Calif. – The Pacific women's basketball team (5-3) handed UNLV (7-1) its first loss (75-68) of the season behind 21 points from sophomore
Anaya James and 17 points from junior
Erica Adams.
James also led the Tigers in rebounds (8) and assists (7), knocking on the door of her second straight triple-double. Junior
Liz Smith added 13 points in the winning effort and continues her double-digit scoring streak. Sophomore
Elizabeth Elliott led the team with two steals.
"To have a long week of practice and prep for what is a good team really helped," said Head Coach
Bradley Davis. I thought the team did a great job executing the game plan in the first half."
With both teams playing for the first time in six days, it took a moment to get the scoring started. The Lady Rebels put the first points on the board just over three minutes into the game. Both teams shot under 25% from the field, but the Tigers forced three Lady Rebel turnovers to take a one-point lead into the second quarter.
The Tiger's offense exploded in the second half, scoring 24 points and shooting 80% from three to take an 18-point lead with just over a minute remaining in the half. The Tigers did not record an offensive rebound in the quarter but outrebounded the Lady Rebels 11-6. A solid Pacific defense shut down an elite UNLV offense, holding the unit to nine points on 15% shooting from the field.
UNLV started to chip away at the Pacific lead in the second half, scoring 23 points in the third and 26 in the fourth. Pacific kept pace with UNLV, scoring 16 in the third and 24 in the fourth. Despite the scoring outburst from the Lady Rebels, the Tigers never trailed in the second half, holding UNLV at arm's reach to end the Lady Rebels' perfect season.
The Tigers are on the road next week, traveling to CSU Fullerton for a 6 p.m. tip-off on Tuesday, Dec. 6.
