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.

UNLV Lady Rebels - A New Era Begins

Last Spring, this Woman's basketball program was in ruin. As I sat watching the 1st round of the Mountain West Conference Championships at the Thomas and Mack Center, I saw them give up on themselves and their coach. It was heartbreaking. There was sadness and tears as the players walk up the tunnel ramp. There were some players that skip it all together, choosing to leave another way.

It didn't take long for the firings to start, just about a week after that horrible loss, the whole staff was gutted, except Elizabeth Linkous. After what seemed like a long search, former Rebel, and UCLA Head Coach, Kathy Olivier, was hired.

Couch Olivier in a letter to season tickets holders list some of the improvements already made as team lounge renovations, new flooring in the women's basketball suite of offices, upgrating to team locker room, and new plasma televisions in the offices, team lounge, and locker room.

Tonight, a new era and season will start for the UNLV Rebels at the Cox Pavilion vs Sacramento State Hornets. Tip -off is expected around 7pm PST.

My Children's favorite player, #5 Brittany Halberg (pictured above), and four other Seniors are among the returning players.

unlvrebels.com says,

"The good news for the team is that it returns four starters, and seven of its
top eight scorers from 2007-08. The one loss however is a big one, as they will
be without the services of Sequoia Holmes, the 2007-08 Mountain West Conference
scoring champion who graduated this past May and went on to play both in the
WNBA and overseas in Europe."

Tonight, will also be Lady Rebels Reunion:

1:00-2:00pm
Open Shootaround, Cox Pavilion

5:00-6:15pm
Pregame Social, Si Redd Room
(Beer and wine will be served)

6:30pm
Lady Rebel Alumnae form “Rebel Reunion Row”

7:00pm
Tip-off, UNLV v. Sacramento State

7:50pm
Half-time, Alumni Introductions, Cox Pavilion

9:00pm
Post-game reception, TMC Concourse
(H’our derves will be served)

Also on unlvrebels.com:

"All tickets are just $1, while its also Rebel Reunion night, as Lady Rebels of
the past will be attending the game and will be honored at halftime. The game is
also part of UNLV's food drive with Three Square, in which fans are asked to
bring two canned food items to the game."

Earlier this month, I was at the ticket office to pick up my tickets, and I had a chance to sit in on a practice. My children were there as well. What I saw was great! The players were working hard to learn a new system, but also enjoying themselves as well. There seemed to be a wonderful chemistry between the players and the couching staff.

I will be blogging on key games, and events all season long.

UNLV is part of The Mountain West Conference, which also home to nationally ranked BYU, and Utah. We shall see how this all plays out on the hardwood courts.

I'm very excited about this team and this season. Go, Fight, Win !!!

Here is a link to the full unlvrebels.com article: http://unlvrebels.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111308aag.html