Aztecs Fall Short at No. 24/25 UNLV

LAS VEGAS – The Aztec women's basketball team (21-9, 11-6) fell at No. 24/25 UNLV (27-2, 17-0) 65-59 Saturday afternoon.

Playing in front of a record-breaking crowd for UNLV, the Aztecs were led by Mercedes Staples' 17 points, which included shooting 5-for-6 from three. Yummy Morris and Sophia Ramos each added 12 points apiece while Ramos surpassed 1,900 points for her career. Asia Avinger added seven points and six assists without committing a turnover in 37 minutes.

SDSU led by as much as 10 points in the first half, built mostly on points off turnovers. However, the Rebels, who finished the regular season undefeated at home, responded with a 15-3 run to quickly retake the lead.

In the pivotal second quarter, UNLV shot 53 percent from the field including a buzzer beating three at the end of the half, while SDSU shot 28 percent. The Rebels led 32-31 at the halftime break with 26 of their points coming in the paint.

Mercedes Staples kept the Aztecs close by knocking down her first five three pointers. Staples, who has the highest career three-point percentage in school history, has hit five or more threes in five games this year.

UNLV went up eight early in the fourth quarter which was followed by a 6-0 Aztec run to bring SDSU within two points with 4:30 left, but that would be the closest SDSU could get.

The Rebels had four players in double-digits and were led by Desi-Ray Young's 15 point and 11 rebound double-double. Alyssa Brown also had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

STAT OF THE GAME
UNLV outrebounded the Aztecs 48-30.

THE NOTE
With one game remaining, the Aztecs could be anywhere from the No. 3 seed to the No. 6 seed in the Mountain West Tournament.

UP NEXT
The Aztecs host Air Force in the regular season finale Tuesday at 6 p.m.