UNLV Lady Rebels Fall to Northwestern Wildcats in Overtime
The UNLV Lady Rebels faced their first overtime challenge of the season, battling the Northwestern Wildcats in a thrilling game that ended in a narrow 79-76 loss. Despite the outcome, the Lady Rebels showed incredible grit and determination, with standout performances from both starters and bench players.
Starters Step Up
The starting lineup displayed resilience and determination, keeping the game close until the very end:
Amarachi Kimpson (#33): Kimpson delivered a career-high performance, scoring an impressive 28 points. She shot 9-14 from the field and an outstanding 10-11 from the free-throw line, adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Aaliyah Alexander (#25): Contributed 16 points and was aggressive in attacking the defense, hitting 6-17 from the field, including a three-pointer.
Kiara Jackson (#3): 6 points, 7 rebounds demonstrating her ability to impact the game beyond scoring. Kiara is now just 10 points away from reaching 1,000 career points a milestone within reach in the upcoming games.
Alyssa Brown (#44): Fought hard on the boards, pulling down 7 rebounds to go with her 5 points, including the game-tying tip-in layup with just 15 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
McKinna Brackens (#21): Contributed 9 points and 8 rebounds, adding a strong defensive presence.
Bench Contributions
The Lady Rebels bench provided a spark, with several players stepping up in key moments:
Meadow Roland (#32): Scored 12 points in 24 minutes, shooting an efficient 5-7 from the field, including two clutch three-pointers.
Macie James (#20): Played hard defensively and added hustle plays that don’t always show on the stat sheet.
Key Stats
Field Goal Percentage: 38.9% (28-72)
Three-Point Percentage: 18.8% (3-16)
Free Throws: 73.9% (17-23)
Rebounds: 39 (15 offensive, 24 defensive)
Assists: 15
Turnovers: 11
The Lady Rebels battled hard on the boards and shared the ball well, but struggled to find consistency from beyond the arc.
HER Game, HER Spotlight: Amarachi Kimpson
In the Lady Rebels’ hard-fought battle against Northwestern, Amarachi Kimpson (#33) delivered a performance that exemplified her role as a key player for UNLV.
A Career Night
Kimpson was the standout on the court, putting up a season high 28 points. Her offensive efficiency and composure were remarkable:
Field Goals: 9-14
Free Throws: 10-11
Rebounds: 4
Assists: 3
Her ability to attack the rim and convert at the free-throw line kept the Lady Rebels within striking distance all night.
A Leader on Both Ends
Amarachi didn’t just score she was pivotal in keeping the team organized and composed during critical moments. Whether facilitating plays, creating her own shots, or crashing the boards, she brought energy and leadership to the court.
Looking Ahead
With performances like this, Amarachi Kimpson is solidifying herself as a force to be reckoned with in the Lady Rebels lineup. Fans can expect her to continue leading the charge as the team works toward greater success this season.
Great game, Amarachi!
Takeaways
While the loss was disappointing, the Lady Rebels displayed resilience and determination against a tough Northwestern team. With this being their first overtime game of the season, the experience will undoubtedly prepare them for high-pressure moments in future contests.
Up Next
The Lady Rebels close out their non conference schedule hosting UC Riverside on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 2:30 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.
What was your favorite moment from the game? Let us know on social media. Go Rebels!