Senior Day Game For UNLV Lady Rebels

Today, was most likely the last game for the Lady Rebels seniors on their home court within the Cox Pavilion. It was also the last regular season game.

There was a pre - game ceremony for #1 Dominique Harris, #5 Brittany Halberg, #24 Shamela Hampton, #25 Raquel Jupiter, and #33 Shannon Oberg.

""In a very hard fought defensive battle in which almost every shot was contested, San Diego State would outlast the host UNLV Lady Rebels for a 61-55 victory on Saturday afternoon in Mountain West Conference women's basketball action from the Cox Pavilion.....

The game was a tight affair for the entire 40 minutes, and the largest lead either team possessed was seven points. The Aztecs would jump out to an early 11-4 lead, as Quenese Davis scored eight of her game-high 20 points in the opening six minutes of the game. The Lady Rebels tied the contest at 12-12 off a jumper from Raquel Jupiter, but SDSU stretched the lead back to four points, 17-13 with 8:35 to play in the half. The Lady Rebels then shut the Aztecs down on defense, holding them to just two free throws over the next 7:38 of the game. UNLV posted a 13-2 run during the stretch, with points coming from four different Lady Rebels. A jumper from Jamie Smith put UNLV up 26-19 with 1:12 to play, but Jene Morris hit two straight treys, the second at the halftime buzzer, to bring the Aztecs back within a point, 26-25.

With the Lady Rebels holding a four-point lead early in the second, SDSU scored five straight, and Paris Johnson's layup gave the Aztecs a 32-31 lead with 17:34 to play. For the next nine minutes, the game would be back and forth, with three lead changes and three ties while the largest lead was just three points. A 6-0 run, capped by a layup from Smith, put UNLV up 48-44 with 8:51 on the clock. The Lady Rebels would be held scoreless for almost a five-minute span however, which allowed SDSU to grab the lead back after scoring eight unanswered points. LaSandra Dixon's layup at 6:20 gave the visitors the lead for good, 49-48, and Jennifer Layton-Bailes' layup a minute later made the score 52-48.

UNLV kept the score close, and cut the edge to one, 54-53 as India Chaney made one of two at the line. Morris answered on the other end with a three-pointer for a four-point lead. Shamela Hampton made two free throws to bring UNLV back within two, 57-55 with 52 seconds left. The Aztecs would knock in four free throws in the final 30 seconds, while UNLV missed three three-point attempts in the final minute.

Hampton and Chaney both scored 13 points to lead UNLV. Smith recorded her 11th double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Erica Helms also had 10 on the afternoon. UNLV was held to 27.1% (19-of-70) from the floor, and for the first time this year did not make a single three-point attempt, missing all 12 from downtown. The Lady Rebels were also out rebounded by four, 51-47, but did hold a 2-15 edge on second chance points. After turning the ball over 27 times in the first meeting this year, UNLV finished with 14, while forcing the Aztecs into 22. Article is from www.unlvrebels.com ""

On a sad note, Dominique Harris (pictured above) suffered a major injury to her knee. How bad it is not really known at this point. What upsets me, is she got hurt in a rough and extremely unnecessary foul. All this happened in front of her family, who had come to join in the celebration of senior day. Dominique didn't return to the game, but did make it back to the bench to support her teammates. I wish her the best and a fast recovery.

After the game, there was an autograph session with the seniors, and Hey Reb, the Rebels mascot. We also had the chance to talk with other players, and their families.

The lady Rebels finished the regular season with a record of 12 wins and 17 losses. This is an improvement over the last few seasons. This earned them the seventh spot in conference rankings

There is still more basketball to come, on Tuesday, the Mountain West Conference Championship Tournament starts. UNLV will play BYU in the first round.

After the Mountain West Conference Tournament, there a chance to get into the NCAA or NIT Tournaments. The results of conference tournament, over all record, and the strength of schedule help the committee extend an invitation, if you haven't earned a automatic bid by winning the regular season and tournament championship.

UNLV Lady Rebels Shock Conference Leader Utah Utes

The Cox Pavilion was rocking in this one as the Rebels just simple out played the Utah Utes in a shocking 68-55 win.

Coming in to this game, The Lady Rebels where very fired up because on Saturday, they lost a game in Provo, Utah in the last 1.7 seconds of the game against BYU, 53-52.

In better news, Jamie Smith (pictured) is ranked fourth in the nation among freshman with 8.9 rebounds per game.

Before the game tonight, as the Rebels headed to warms- ups, Zac and Jenna went to the edge of the court and gave / got high fives from most of the players as they past by. The children were very excited to have been a part of this. To them it a extremely big deal.

The following is the article about the game that was posted on www.unlvrebels.com.

""Trailing by eight points with nine minutes to play, UNLV blew past Utah with a 20-2 run, and broke an 11-game losing streak to the Utes with a 68-55 victory on Wednesday night in Mountain West Conference women's basketball action from the Cox Pavilion. With the win over the first-place Utes, UNLV improved to 11-16 on the year, 4-10 in the league, and posted a victory over Utah for the first time since March 4, 2004. The Utes meanwhile dropped to 18-8, and 11-2 in the MWC.

UNLV also set a school record on the night, connecting on 23-of-24 at the free throw line for 95.8%, topping the previous mark of 95.5% (21-of-22), which came against Pacific on March 2, 1991, and it was the third best performance ever in a MWC game. The Lady Rebels would make all 14 of their attempts in the second half, including 10 in the in the last 1:32 of the game.

The game was tied at 27 at halftime, and then again at 29-29 before Utah reeled off a 9-0 run. A jumper from Halie Sawyer ended the run, making the score 38-29 with 14:48 to play. Twice UNLV closed to within three, and a pair of free throws from India Chaney made the score 41-38, but five straight points from the Utes stretched the lead back to 46-38 with 9:03 on the clock. After five unanswered points from UNLV cut the lead to 46-43, Kalee Whipple made two free throws to push the lead back to five with 7:38 to play. That would be the final points for the visitors for the next six minutes.

Dominique Harris, turning in her best game of the season, started the game-winning rally for UNLV by knocking in a pair of free throws, and after Jamie Smith's trey tied the game at 5:27, 48-48, Harris hit back-to-back jumpers for a 52-48 lead. Brittany Halberg then hit back-to-back three-pointers, putting UNLV ahead by 10, 58-48 with 1:50 to play. A short jumper from Katie King broke the run for UNLV, but the Lady Rebels would hit 10 straight at the line in the final 1:32 for the 13-point victory.

The first half was a back and forth affair, with six ties and 14 lead changes. Neither team would lead by more then four points in the opening 20 minutes.

For the first time since the season opener, UNLV would place five in double figures, as the entire starting lineup finished with 10 or more points. Halberg scored all of her team-high 15 points in the second half, while Harris finished with 13. Smith posted her ninth double-double of the year with 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Shamela Hampton and Erica Helms also recorded 10 points each. UNLV shot 38.5% (20-of-52) for the game, was 5-of-17 (29.4%) from three-point range. The Lady Rebels held a 38-32 edge on the boards, and turned the ball over just 11 times.

Morgan Warburton led Utah with 21 points, while King added 12. Whipple, a native of nearby Hiko, Nev., shot just 2-of-13 from the floor and scored 10 points before fouling out, one of three Utes to foul out of the contest. Utah was held to 32.7% (18-of-55) for the game, was 6-of-25 (24%) from downtown, and made 13-of-15 at the line for 86.7%.

UNLV will have the weekend off before playing its final road game of the regular season, as it will take on Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Wednesday, March 4 at 6 pm.""

During the game, my son was thrown a UNLV t-shirt by a cheerleader at a time out. he put it on right away.

After the game, We waited a bit and talk with a few players, before leaving the arena. My voice was a little horse at the end.

The emotions are running high as on Saturday, March 7th will be the end of regular season, and the last game for the seniors on the court of the Cox Pavilion. We will miss them very much. This part of the cycle of the being a fan of college sport players. After 4 or 5 years they move on to a new chapter in there life.

Rebels Fall To Cowgirls During Pink Zone 2009 Game

The following is from http://www.unlvrebels.com/ : ""The UNLV athletic department is asking all women's basketball fans to Put on Pink and Pack the Pavilion.

Join the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's "Rebel Rally for a Cause" and the Lady Rebels for "Pink Zone UNLV 2009", in support of breast cancer awareness. Fans will receive breast cancer awareness information compliments of the UNLV Jean Nidetch Women's Center, and there will be breast cancer awareness giveaways throughout the game.

The Lady Rebels also will be honoring breast cancer survivors during pregame and halftime activities. Each fan will receive a raffle ticket for their chance to win free golf or a gift certificate to Blue Martini at Town Square during halftime. Also, don't forget your camera to take pictures with Hey Reb aboard the Komen Cart.""

During the pre-game warm ups on the court for the Rebels, player Erica Helms came over near our front row seats. She tossed a white wristband with a pink breast cancer ribbon on it, with her name and number written on the back, to my son. Both my children took turns wearing it during the game. I was wearing my pink shirt that the team gave out at last years event. We also had pink glow sticks necklaces, and rubber bracelets that were being handed out.

My children and I have been season tickets for awhile now. This year the children are old enough now that we moved to the first row from the second row seats we have had from the beginning.

The team, coaching staff, cheerleaders, band, and other fans know us. I'm a very vocal and blunt person, more so when I'm at a sporting event. On a recent trip to the UNLV Bookstore, I pick mini bullhorns, so now the Cox Pavilion can hear us.

The game was an exciting one to watch. For awhile it was back and forth. The outcome was not the one I had in mine. The UNLV Rebels lost to the Cowgirls, 50-44. I don't want to sound like sour grapes, but I strongly feel the level of officiating played a part in the final outcome.

Again from unlvrebels.com: ""UNLV was held to a season-low 17 points in the second half and shot under 30% from the floor for the second straight game as Wyoming claimed a 50-44 victory on Wednesday night in Mountain West Conference women's basketball action from the Cox Pavilion. The loss dropped UNLV to 10-15 on the year, 3-9 in league play, while the Cowgirls won for the second straight year in Las Vegas to improve to 13-11, 5-6 in the MWC.

Wyoming led for almost the entire first half, holding UNLV to just six points over the first eight minutes while opening up a 16-6 lead. The lead was at seven points, 23-16, before UNLV used its quickness to spark an 11-0 run over the final five minutes of the half. Erica Helms started the run with a layup and a three-pointer, and following a free throw from India Chaney, Helms' trey at the 1:40 mark gave UNLV the lead at 25-23. Shamela Hampton would add a layup with just over a minute to play, and the Lady Rebels would take a 27-23 lead into the break.

After finding its touch on offense to end the first stanza, the Lady Rebels opened the second 20 minutes missing six straight shots. The key stretch of the game came after Chaney banked in a jumper to put UNLV up 31-26. Megan McGuffey's layup on the other end started a 13-1 run for the Cowgirls, and the Lady Rebels never recovered. Kristen Scheffler's layup at 9:51 ended the run, giving Wyoming a 39-32 lead. Three times UNLV cut the deficit to five points, the last on a layup from Hampton with 5:49 to play. The Lady Rebel would make just one more field goal over the final five minutes while missing 11 shots, and also missed four of seven at the free throw line as the Cowgirls finished with the six-point victory.

Hampton led UNLV with her 12th double-double of the season with 12 points and 14 rebounds, but was 5-of-14 from the floor and 2-of-7 at the line. Helms scored a team-high 14 points, while Dominique Harris added eight points, but did not score in the final 29 minutes. The Lady Rebels finished shooting 29.8% (17-of-57) from the floor, 5-of-21 for 23.8% on three-pointers, and made a season-low 38.5% of its shots at the line (5-of-13). UNLV was out rebounded by three, 42-39, and turned the ball over 17 times.

Hillary Carlson paced the Cowgirls with 18 points and eight rebounds, and was followed by McGuffey with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Wyoming shot 37.3% (19-of-51) from the field, 3-of-17 from three-point range (17.6%), and posted eight blocks.""

After the game, my children and I played some basketball on the court with other fans, while we waited to talk with the players and staff on the way out of the arena from the lockeroom, and media commitments.

I also talked with a staff member about a request for passes to the Mountain West Conference Championships that will be held here in Las Vegas. I can't afford the prices of the tickets. I'm hoping like last year that I have a chance to go.

It's hard to believe that one of my family's favorite players, Brittany Halberg (pictured above) only has a few more regular season games left. My children were very sad to hear the news on the ride home. Jenna, my daughter was so very cute, saying, she can't go daddy, we love her so very much! My son, Zac was upset and saying we really going to miss her. Both always have to get a hug from Brittany before we can leave the arena.

I thought it be best to prepare my children for this, it will be a loss for them. I try my best to explain the Brittany is moving on to a new chapter in her life, and she'll back on alumni night, and for visits I'm sure. I also said you never know, maybe she'll be a coach one day. This seemed to bring some level of comfort to them.

The Lady Rebels are on the road this weekend to face BYU. They will return to action here in Las Vegas next Wednesday.

Lady Rebels Hunt Down The Lobos

The UNLV Lady Rebels over came a 10 point hole, and horrible calls by the officials to stun and upset the New Mexico Lady Lobos, 57-51.

The same Lobos back on Jan 7th, blew out the Rebels, 75-49 in New Mexico.

Coach Olivier and her staff had the Rebels well prepared for the re-match at the Cox Pavilion. The plan and modification were well executed. The players and fans for both sides were into this game.

This is the new era! In that coaches and players working together in harmony to perfect a game plan, make need adjustments, and carry them out on the court.

The standard at UNLV is very clear: Go, Fight, Win !!! Being nationally ranked, Mountain West Championships, and even runs for the National Championship are all earthier expected or in the stated goals.

Shamela Hampton and Jamie Smith teamed up for other set of double -doubles. Brittany Halberg hit 3-pointers during key moments in the game. Starter and bench player worked in many different combinations, that in the end the Lobes didn't have an answer for.

Another key was the much improved free throw shooting. I don't have the exact stats, but can tell you that the rebels missed very few. This closed the gap, and also added points without losing time on the game clock.

The Cox Pavilion had a prize fight like feel to it. New Mexico had some loud fans that made the trip to support them. Rebel Nation was there as well, but it Being National Girls and Women in Sports Day , the numbers were greater. We had a close to the full squad of Cheerleader with Hey Reb as well, and the Band. My family and I did our part, dressed in Rebel gear, and have megaphones we got at the UNLV Bookstore.

After the game we wait for player and coaches to come back up as they left the area for their lives as college students.

Zac and Jenna got a "Kids grow up to be Rebels" poster, and at first had the players sign it, but by the end they had family, event staff, and just about anyone sign it. It was cute, and got a few laughs

I got to talk with Ms. Halberg, and meet Brittany's twin sister. I gave them the web address to this blog, so hopeful they will take a look or comment. Brittany is a favorite of Zac and Jenna. We will miss her as she graduates this year, and start a new chapter in her life.

I also got to talk with Head Coach, Kathy Olivier. I ask her about passes for the upcoming Mountain West Conference Tournament that is again being hosted at the Thomas and Mack Center on the UNLV campus.

We also congratulated other players and coaching staff members as they came through the arena on the way out or to offices.

It was an exciting game, and wonderful event. Just a super way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Rebel's are now on the road for the next two games, but will be back in Las Vegas very soon.

UNLV Lady Rebels Down Air Force

The New Era for the UNLV Lady Rebels finally was able to match last years record. With about a month left in the season, there is some room for improvement heading into the Tournament.

As a season ticket holder, I try to make every game to support my team. At times, my children's behavior or other events get in the way. We always make as many games as can. My family is full of Rebel pride.

We had forgotten that the Air Force game had been moved up to 1pm from the 3pm start time on the tickets. So we watched most of the game on my laptop, on gametracker at www.unlvrebels.com

The first half was back and forth, neither team could really get the advantage. Air Force had a one point lead at half time, 29-28.

The Rebels woke up or had a fire lit under them to start the second half, going on a 20 - 5 run. This open the game up, and UNLV never looked back, even as thing got closer in final minutes.

The Lady Rebels beat Air Force, 78-64. This gave them their second win within the Mountain West Conference, and an overall record of 9 wins and 11 losses.

Senior Shamela Hampton had her 10th double -double, with 17 points and 16 rebounds. She became the 18th Lady Rebel to reach the 1,000 career point mark as she now has 1,001 points in her four years in Las Vegas.

Jamie Smith also posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, marking the third time this year the two teammates have finished with double-doubles in the same game.

UNLV ends the first half of the conference schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 4, when it takes on San Diego State in San Diego, Calif., in a 7 pm contest.

Earlier in the week, an article came out on page 18 in the January 29th edition of the weekly Rebel Nation magazine. In the article, Coach Kathy Olivier gushed over India Chaney, and how she was building the team around her for next season. India is a great player and well deserving of the praise, but to some fans it also seem like a sign that Coach Olivier and her staff are giving up on the season now in progress.

I can only imagine that was seen as a slap in the face to Shamela Hampton, and Brittany Halberg who have given it their all and carried the team these last year under former coach, Regina Miller.

You can visit the web site above, and www.rebelnation.net for more information.

Lady Rebel Round - Up Tournament

UNLV and The Cox Pavilion this weekend play host to the Lady Rebel Round -Up Basketball Tournament. The other teams invited were Eastern Washington Eagles, Cal State - Fullerton Titans, and Georgia Lady Bulldogs.

Friday's game was exciting, and action packed, but in overtime the Lady Rebels fell just short, 70 - 69. This was the first loss of the season, and for Coach Olivier. This also meant the Rebels wouldn't advance to the Championship Game.

As a fan I never want to see my team lose, but that feeling is made worse when you honestly think the quality of the officiating effected the outcome of the game.

Brittany Halberg's was in my mind, clearly fouled as she attempted her last second shot to win the game in overtime. There was no call after the missed shot, so time expired.

There was some good news, the Rebels came back form being down as much as 11 points to force an overtime period. Shamela Hampton scored 31 points, a personal best. Shamela, along with Dominique Harris had double -doubles.

After the game, my children and I got a picture with former Lady Rebel, WNBA Houston Comets and' European League player, Sequoia Homes.

My children and I were at the arena as the doors opened at 10:30am on Saturday for the consolation game.

The big question now was how would the Lady Rebels' respond to their first lost, less then 24 hours ago.

The team had a very slow start, and found themselves in a 6 point hole at end for the first half, but it could have been so much worse.

The Rebels started very hot in second half, coach must have lit a fire. They went on a 11- 2 run start with a Hampton 3- pointer. The lead would change hands 5 more times. After the 10 minutes to go mark, UNLV never looked back, opening up a 12 point lead until the final seconds to take a 76 -65 win.

Shamela had her 4th double - double, and India Chaney (pictured above right) added 10 points from the bench.

Georgia won the tournament, Eastern Washington 2cd, UNLV 3rd, and Cal State Fullerton was in last or 4th place. Ashley Houts of Georgia was the tournament MVP.

After a 5 game homestead, the UNLV Lady Rebels will hit the road for 3 games vs Texas Tech, Loyola Marymount, and Oregon State.

The next time the Rebels will be in Las Vegas will be Dec 19 for The Desert Draw at UNLV Tournament with Cal State -Northridge, Oklahoma State, and Southern Miss.