Learning to play with the big girls

Saturday, Nov. 26, 2005 | 7:40 a.m.

For Regina Miller, last week's 16-point loss to 18th-ranked DePaul in Chicago was not so much a learning experience for the Lady Rebels head coach as it was a confirmation.

"We did a lot of good things (but) we have to put together a 40-minute effort of focused, concentrated basketball to have an opportunity to beat very strong teams -- particularly top-20 teams," Miller said. "But we already knew that."

After beating Alabama State 81-59 in the opening round of the DePaul Invitational, UNLV met the tournament host Blue Demons in the championship game and held a five-point lead early in the second half before getting into foul trouble and then watching DePaul put together two big runs and put the game out of reach.

"We had an opportunity; we just didn't seize the moment," Miller said. "It's going to take a great team effort to beat those (ranked) teams and that, certainly, is our goal eventually.

"If we can get seven or eight people deep in our rotation playing consistently, we'll have a chance to beat some of those teams. I think that's what we learned."

The Lady Rebels, who are at home this weekend, hosting Stephen F. Austin, Chattanooga and Tennessee Tech in the UNLV Lady Rebel Shootout, head back out on the road next weekend to play in the Contra Costa Times Classic in Berkeley, Calif. UNLV will play five of its first seven regular-season games on the road before closing the nonconference season with four consecutive home games from Dec. 17-31.

The Lady Rebels open Mountain West Conference play Jan. 5 at home against Wyoming.

On the Mend

After she missed the entire 2004-05 season with an ankle injury, Sherry McCracklin appeared as if she picked up right where she left off after her stellar junior season. In the Lady Rebels' two exhibition games, McCracklin averaged 17.5 points and 11.5 rebounds a game.

In the DePaul Invitational, however, McCracklin averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds a game. Miller insisted that McCracklin had not taken a step back in her recovery from the torn Achilles tendon that sidelined her last season.

"She's just not back to 100 percent yet," Miller said. "It's probably going to take a little time ... but that's the reality. Also, she played one of the top post players in the Big East (against DePaul)."

Also Noted

Brian Hilderbrand can be reached at 259-4089 or at bh@lasvegassun.com.