Comeback falls short against TCU

India Chaney (32) pulls up for a 3-pointer in Saturday’s game against TCU. The Rebels were 8-of-29 beyond the arc. Photo by: Devin Loretz

The Lady Rebels made a valiant effort at a comeback, but were cut just a few points short as they fell to TCU (10-5, 2-0 Mountain West), 66-61.

UNLV (7-8, 0-2 MWC) trailed from the get-go as TCU found open shots on most of their early possessions. TCU shot 43 percent from the field and 47 percent from beyond the 3-point line in the first half which helped them build their lead to as many as 18 points.

“It’s unacceptable to give up [11-of-23 from the 3-point line], especially in our house,” UNLV head coach Kathy Olivier said.

The Lady Rebels trailed at halftime 37-23, but in the second half they began to turn the game around. Shamela Hampton and Jamie Smith led the comeback and recorded a double-double each.

Dominique Harris (1) lays the ball in during Saturday’s game against TCU. Harris finished with seven points and two rebounds. Photo by: Devin Loretz

“Coach told us at halftime that we needed to come out more aggressive in the second half, and I think we showed a lot of heart and did that,” Hampton said.

UNLV played better, but the scoreboard did not show it as TCU kept them at least three possessions away until the three minute mark.

The final three minutes, however, was where the comeback started to unravel. After getting the lead down to five, UNLV gave up a huge three point basket to TK LaFleur, who went on to lead the Horned Frogs with 20 points. The Rebels would get the lead back down to three points with 10 seconds left, but ran out of time and were forced to intentionally foul until time ran out.

The Rebels were disappointed with the loss but said they were able to take some confidence out of the comeback attempt.

“In the first half we were letting them get the ball on the other side of the court, and in the second half we put more pressure on them and were stopping them more,” Erica Helms said.

The Lady Rebels have lost three straight games to teams who made the NCAA tournament last year (Fresno State, New Mexico and TCU), but with the remaining schedule being all conference opponents, the familiarity factor should help them to make a run at being a force in the Mountain West this year. Coach Olivier is excited to see how the team grows as the conference schedule continues.

“The Mountain West is a very good conference and the teams are well coached,” Olivier said. “Ask me about the conference after the Colorado State game.”