March 7, 2003

Laramie, Wyo. - The Wyoming Cowgirl Basketball Team (17-10 overall, 7-7 MWC) closed out the regular conference season with a disappointing 80-70 loss to the UNLV Lady Rebels (17-10 overall, 8-6 MWC) on Friday night in Laramie.

After a quick two points from UNLV, the Cowgirls answered with five straight to take an early lead, but the Rebels responded with a 9-2 run to take an 11-7 advantage. UNLV held onto a three to four point lead for the next several minutes, but an 8-4 run from Wyoming tied it up at 15. It was short lived as the Lady Rebels quickly regained a five point lead, which eventually grew to seven, 26-19. As the Cowgirls struggled offensively, UNLV built an eight point cushion, 31-23, one of their largest leads of the game. In the final four minutes of the half, Wyoming offensive woes continued as the Lady Rebels took a 38-29 lead into halftime.

Carrie Bacon led the Cowgirls in scoring with eight, while Ann McColl had a team high three boards in the half. As a team, Wyoming shot 12-34 (.353) from the field, but struggled with 1-6 (.167) shooting from beyond the arc.

The Lady Rebels were led by Constance Jinks, who had eight points, while the high rebounder was Talisha Mitchell with five. UNLV was 13-27 (.481) from the field. It was slow going offensively in the first few minutes of the second half for both teams, but the Cow-girls seemed to gain some momentum closing the margin to seven, 46-39. The Lady Rebels had other ideas going on a 6-0 scoring run to open up a 13-point lead, 52-39. A very determined Cowgirl team refused to give up and responded with a 17-2 run of their own to take their second lead of the game 56-54. UNLV's Constance Jinks answered with a three-point shot to help the Lady Rebels go back up one, but another small run from Wyoming gave them the 60-57 lead. Once again, UNLV just wouldn't go away as a 12-1 run gave them a significant lead, which grew to 76-66, as the Cowgirls just couldn't seem to find the basket. In the end the point deficit was too much UW to overcome as the Lady Rebels went on to the 80-70 victory.

"Obviously, we wanted to send the seniors out on a good note," said head coach Cindy Fisher. "But I told them in the lockeroom they've accomplished a lot especially more than any other team that I've coached. For us to beat BYU, CSU and New Mexico at home is something we've never done and to go .500 in this conference is very tough. We have to look at the positive from the season as a whole and get ready for the conference tournament. This team will fight back and be ready."

Constance Jinks led all scorers with 28 for the night, along with five rebounds and three assists. Dishawn McCracklin was also in double-figures with 16, while bringing down a team high nine boards. The Lady Rebels were 28-54 (.519) from the field and 6-17 (.353) from the three-point line.

Wyoming was led by senior Carrie Bacon, who finished the game in double-figures with 21. She was 7- 16 from the field and 7-9 from the charity stripe. Two other Cowgirls finished in double-figures, including Ashley Elliott with 11 and Darci Arsene with ten. Elliott also led the team in rebounds with seven. The Cowgirls shot 26-63 (.413) from the field.

Up next for the Cowgirls is the Mountain West Conference Tournament, in Las Vegas, March 12-15. The Cowgirls will know their next opponent is when the bracket is released tomorrow.

Wyoming Women's Basketball

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