Feb. 9, 2002
SAN DIEGO - UNLV may have been playing without All-American Linda Fr?hlich and starting 6-6 center Petra Gl?ser - both suspended while the university investigates possible violations of the NCAA's amateurism regulations - but it still had high-scoring Constance Jinks.
And the 5-7 guard stood tall against the Aztecs, pouring in a game-high 27 points, including four free throws in the final three minutes, to lift UNLV to a 57-49 victory over San Diego State in front of 820 in Cox Arena.
"Our game plan was to pressure and come over early on Jinks," said SDSU head coach Barb Smith. "But we were late several times. She is extremely quick. I have to give her a lot of credit. She stepped up tonight when she needed to and delivered. That's what an All-American does."
San Diego State (9-12, 1-7 MWC) trailed by just two at the break, then fought toe-to-toe with the Lady Rebels throughout the second half as the teams battled to two ties and nine lead-changes over the final 20 minutes.
The Aztecs led 46-45 with 3:18 to play when Jinks connected on a pair of free throws to give UNLV (18-4, 6-3 MWC) a one-point advantage. SDSU would never lead again as the Lady Rebels sank six straight free throws and got a 3-pointer from Erin Johansson to put the game out of reach.
Jamey Cox, who led the Aztecs with 17 points, canned a trey and was fouled on the shot, giving her a chance to pull SDSU within a point with 1:30. However, the junior missed the free throw and San Diego State never scored again.
"Our defense is solid every game," Smith said, as the Aztecs held UNLV to just 33-percent shooting. "But when you shoot just 29 percent yourself and miss a lot of lay-ups, it gets frustrating. Offensively we are struggling to score."
Count SDSU's leading scorer, senior Claire Swinbank, among those who struggled offensively versus UNLV. Swinbank, who had led the Aztecs in scoring in five straight games and had scored in double figures in 10-of-11, was held to just nine points, while Atim Otii finished with only five, despite collecting a team-high 11 rebounds.
Aztec sophomore Nicolette McCartny added seven points as did senior Tanisha Knight, who fouled out with eight minutes to play.
UNLV freshman Sherry McCracklin hauled down a game-high 12 rebounds as the Lady Rebels out-rebounded SDSU, 46-42.
The first half similar to the second with the two teams combining for three ties and producing three lead changes.
San Diego State held an eight-point lead - the biggest by either team in the half - midway through the period. However, the Aztecs weren't able to pull away as UNLV rallied behind Jinks, who brought the Lady Rebels back.
The junior scored 12 of her 14 first-half points in the final nine minutes to rally UNLV to a three-point advantage three times in the final four minutes of the half before heading into the lockerroom with a 29-27 lead.
San Diego State continues its three-game home stand on Thursday, Feb. 14th, when the Aztecs host Wyoming at 7:30 in Cox Arena.