UNLV women lose at UCLA

Monday, Nov. 24, 2003 | 10:02 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

LOS ANGELES -- The UCLA Bruins defeated UNLV 61-51, winning their season opener on the strong performance of sophomore guard Nikki Blue.

Blue led the Bruins with 16 points, and also contributed six assists and and six steals. Lisa Willis was second with 13.

UCLA took advantage of 31 UNLV turnovers and ended the game on a 20-8 run to rally past the Lady Rebels (1-1) in the game played at Pauley Pavilion.

UNLV held a five-point lead early in the second half.

The game was tied at 22 at halftime, and UNLV led 42-41 with 9:07 left in the game. But the Bruins went on a 10-2 run and led 51-44 with five minutes left.

UNLV freshman Kameca Simmons, a native of Compton , Calif., stepped up in front of her hometown crowd as she scored a team-high 13 points coming off the bench on 5-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range.

Teammate Sherry McCracklin posted her second straight and 10th career double-double with 11 points and a career-high tying 15 rebounds.

RanDee Henry and InFini Robinson both finished with 10 points for the Lady Rebels.

The Lady Rebels return to action this weekend when they host the Lady Rebel Shootout on Saturday and Sunday at the Cox Pavilion.

UNLV plays San Diego on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., while Georgia Southern and Richmond meet in the first game at 2 p.m.

The winners and losers play each other on Sunday.