LAS VEGAS — UNLV brings a 4-0 Mountain West record home Wednesday against Utah State, whose leading scorer Aaliyah Gayles returns to her hometown for the matchup.
The Lady Rebels are 9-5 overall after a 64-58 win at Air Force. Utah State enters 6-7 and 2-2 in conference play after losing 58-40 at Reno.
Gayles averages 13.5 points for the Aggies. UNLV has scoring options in Jasmyn Lott and Meadow Roland, but it also has to keep its own giveaways from giving Utah State chances before the defense gets set.
UNLV Has Found Balance During Its Winning Streak
UNLV’s 85-59 win over Fresno State on New Year’s Eve included five double-figure scorers, led by Mariah Elohim’s 17 points.
UNLV holds a plus-2.1 rebounding margin through 14 games. Against Utah State, finishing a defensive possession also means accounting for Sophie Sene, who leads the Aggies with 6.5 rebounds per game.
The Free-Throw Line Continues to Give UNLV an Advantage
The Lady Rebels average 11.4 made free throws per game to their opponents’ 7.8.
Roland offers an inside target when UNLV attacks. If Utah State sends a second defender to her, moving the ball to the perimeter would let Lott or Elohim attack the resulting recovery.
Lott and Roland Continue to Set the Floor
Lott leads UNLV with 13.6 points per game, just ahead of Roland’s 13.5.
Roland also averages 8.6 rebounds, giving UNLV an option to recover a miss as well as a scorer near the basket.
Aaliyah Alexander averages 10.9 points and helps organize the offense. Shelbee Brown leads UNLV with 9.2 rebounds per game.
Utah State’s Opportunity After a Turnover
UNLV averages 13.9 turnovers. Utah State scores 15 points per game off giveaways, part of its 62.2-point average. Taking care of the ball would make the Aggies find more of their scoring against UNLV’s set defense.
Aaliyah Gayles Gives Utah State a Familiar Scoring Threat
Gayles is the first scoring matchup to account for. If she gets past the first defender, Roland or Brown may have to help at the basket while another Lady Rebel covers Sene. Staying with the ball early would reduce the need for that extra rotation.
Marina Asensio gives Utah State another perimeter option at 10.4 points per game.
A Chance to Extend the Series Streak
UNLV has dominated the series in recent seasons. The Lady Rebels are 33-4 all-time against Utah State and have won 15 consecutive meetings, including several games decided comfortably.
UNLV follows Wednesday’s game with a trip to Wyoming. Protecting the ball and keeping Sene from extending possessions are the immediate tasks before that next road game.
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