Lady Rebels postseason hopes face 3-game test

Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998 | 9:24 a.m.

The UNLV women's basketball team begins a crucial three-game stretch tonight that could go a long way toward determining whether the Lady Rebels qualify for the postseason Western Athletic Conference Tournament.

UNLV (2-16 overall, 10-6 in the WAC) plays host to Colorado State (15-3, 5-2) tonight at 7:05, Wyoming (6-11, 2-5) on Saturday and the Air Force Academy (5-12, 0-7) next Wednesday. All three games will be played at Lied Gymnasium.

"We're still battling to get into the WAC Tournament and that's not an option that has been written off," Lady Rebels coach LaDonna McClain said. "We've got one win and this is obviously going to be a big weekend and big week for us."

UNLV enters tonight's contest in seventh place in the eight-team Mountain Division. The top six teams from each division qualify for the March 2-7 WAC Tournament at the Thomas & Mack.

"This is going to be a big time for us in terms of where we want to be at the end of the season and if we want to be in the Thomas & Mack and competing in the WAC tournament," McClain said. "The kids are very well aware of where we're at and they know they if they step out and play, good things can happen."

After winning twice in four games following the Christmas break, including a conference victory at Air Force, the Lady Rebels have lost their past four games. McClain said the key to this week will be which Lady Rebels team decides to show up.

"I kid with the players in that we have team A, B and C -- team A can play with anybody, B will give them a game and C struggles," McClain said. "Whichever teams shows up, that's kind of how we play. We have a tendency to play and rise to the level of people we're playing against. If we step out with that (A) team every night, you have a whole different scenario.

"I just think it's an attitude and one that you have to take out on the floor every night. I think we're real inconsistent with putting that team on the floor."

UNLV is led by senior guard Taneisha Gossett, who is averaging 12.1 points a game while junior forward Angalete Dye is averaging 8.1 points and 8.6 rebounds.

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