Kennedy paces Cowgirls to win

UW junior Jade Kennedy

By Richard Anderson
Wyoming Sports.org

Last Wednesday, Jade Kennedy spent a majority of the win over Air Force in a giving mood, with a career-high 11 assists.

On Saturday, she took her opportunities to score, with a career-high 23 points as the Cowgirls held off UNLV 78-73 on Saturday in the Arena-Auditorium.

"Against Air Force, I was able to find the girls, who knocked down the shots," Kennedy said. "Today, I was just open."

Saturday's effort came at a good time, as it not only was the Cowgirls' final regular-season home game, but Kennedy's parents -- William and Leonie Kennedy - were able to witness their daughter's performance live.

"It is really good to look up in the stands and see Mom and Dad," Kennedy said.

Kennedy hit 7 of 10 from the field, including 6 of 9 3-pointers, scoring 17 points in the first half as Wyoming led 44-37 at halftime.

UW head coach Joe Legerski said there were several stars in Saturday's game.

“Jade Kennedy was unbelievable in the first half shooting 5-of-7 from beyond the arc and 17 total points. She ended up getting us going," Legerski said.

Legerski also said that true freshmen Rebecca Campigli and Chaundra Sewell were two players that gave them a lift off the bench and playing extended minutes. Then there was Vandiver's performance, especially in the end.

"We’re up three points with 29 seconds and Jade misses her second free throw, Aubrey gets the rebound for a tie up and we get another opportunity," Legerski said. "It really changed the way we played defense, but that rebound by her is a player with a big heart and making a play. Her numbers were tremendous with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and it’s to the point you expect that from her.”

The Cowgirls (9-7 MWC, 18-10) needed all of Kennedy’s points, as they blew a 13-point second-half lead before rallying in the final two minutes.

Wyoming appeared to have things in control, leading 61-48 with 12 minutes left, but Kelli Thompson scored 11 points and the Lady Rebels used a 19-2 run to take their first lead since midway through the first half. UNLV led by four with 4:49 remaining, only to see the Cowgirls bounce back.

Five points from sophomore Kristen Scheffler put the Cowgirls back in front and two free throws by Hillary Carlson put Wyoming up 74-69 just under a minute to play.

Again, UNLV came back as Thompson hit a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left to make it a two-point game. The Cowgirls held off the UNLV charges by hitting 4 of 6 free throws in the final seconds.

Vandiver scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Wyoming, which hit 13 of 26 3-pointers. Vandiver hit 3 of 4 free throws late in the final 35 seconds and also had a big steal and offensive rebound that enabled the Cowgirls to retain possession late in the game.

Erica Helms scored a career-high 23 points to lead UNLV (6-10, 13-17). Thompson scored 22 points, with Sandrine Nzeukou adding 13 for UNLV.

With the win, the Cowgirls finished in a tie for fifth-place in the league standings, but will be the sixth seed heading into Tuesday’s Mountain West Conference Tournament in Las Vegas. They face the Lady Rebels once again, at 8 p.m.