Cowgirls turn cold in loss at UNLV

LAS VEGAS -- Just as the Wyoming Cowgirls couldn't miss on Saturday in the big win at home over Air Force, they couldn't buy a bucket in the first half at UNLV.

The Cowgirls (4-4 MWC, 13-7), after shooting 75 percent from the field in the 61-point win over the Falcons, connected on just 19 percent of their shots in the opening 20 minutes and could never quite catch up, falling to the Lady Rebels 62-56 on Tuesday.

“I thought the biggest difference tonight was our inability to have a shot go down,” UW head coach Joe Legerski said. “We needed to attack the basket instead of settling for three’s. This was a very difficult game, especially on the boards. Aubrey Vandiver and Hillary Carlson both played their hearts out tonight. They came out and gave us everything that they could. I was also proud of the way all of the young players came in and really gave a great effort.”

Three Cowgirls finished the night in double-figures led by Vandiver, who had another double double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Carlson had a team-high 16 points, while Sara Wilson added 11 points. Wyoming shot 20-of-69 (.290) from the field and 6-of-30 (.200) from beyond the arc.

Four of five starters recorded double-figures for the Lady Rebels, led by Kelli Thompson with 18 points. She was followed by Erica Helms with 16 points and Jamie Smith and Mia Bell with 10 each. Smith recorded 17 rebounds. UNLV shot 19-of-53 (.358) from the field and 10-of-27 (.370) from beyond the arc.

Both teams started slow in the game and UNLC went on a 14-2 run and led 31-18 at halftime. After UNLV built the lead to 16 early in the second half, the Cowboys chipped away and cut the lead to eight, but couldn't maintain that momentum. UNLV went back up by 17. A 13-4 Wyoming run cut the lead back under single digits and Wyoming got as close as five with 31 seconds left, but could get no closer.

The Cowgirls return home to play the Colorado State Rams on Saturday at 2 p.m.