UNLV Lady Rebels Hold Off Wyoming in an OT Thriller
The UNLV Lady Rebels pulled off a nail-biter on Sunday, taking down Wyoming 72-71 in overtime at Cox Pavilion. That’s now seven straight wins for UNLV Lady Rebels in Mountain West play and their sixth consecutive victory over the Cowgirls. This game had everything big plays, clutch moments. The Lady Rebels are now 15-4 overall and a perfect 7-0 in conference play.
Breaking Down the Game
This one was intense from start to finish, with 17 lead changes and three ties. Amarachi Kimpson was unstoppable, leading the Lady Rebels with 22 points. She was super efficient, going 8-for-12 from the field and a perfect 6-for-6 at the line.
McKinna Brackens came up clutch, dropping 14 points, including the game-winning layup in overtime. Aaliyah Alexander added 12 points and grabbed a season-high seven rebounds four of them on the offensive glass. Alyssa Brown owned the boards, leading the team with 13 rebounds, and Kiara Jackson came through with four assists, including the dish to Brackens for the game-winner.
On the other side, Wyoming didn’t go down without a fight. Allyson Fertig led them with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Emily Mellema and Malene Pedersen each scored 16 points.
Overtime Madness
With 21 seconds left in regulation, Wyoming’s Tess Barnes hit one of two free throws to give the Cowgirls a 67-65 lead. Kiara Jackson wasn’t having it she drove right down the lane and banked in a layup with 14 seconds left to tie it at 67. After a missed three by the Lady Rebels and a defensive board from Wyoming, we were heading to overtime.
Lady Rebels won the tip and wasted no time, scoring the first basket to go up 69-67. Aaliyah Alexander added a free throw to stretch the lead to three. But Wyoming answered with a basket from Fertig and then took the lead on a layup from Pedersen to make it 71-70.
Then came the big moment. Jackson, as cool as ever, drove into the lane and dished it to a wide open Brackens, who finished the layup to put UNLV up 72-71. Wyoming had one last shot, but Brown’s clutch rebound shut the door, and the Lady Rebels walked away with the W.
Key Contributions
Starters:
McKinna Brackens (#21): 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists in 35 minutes.
Alyssa Brown (#44): 5 points and 13 big rebounds in 39 minutes.
Amarachi Kimpson (#33): Led the squad with 22 points, plus 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 37 minutes.
Kiara Jackson (#3): 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in 41 minutes, including the clutch game-winning assist.
Aaliyah Alexander (#25): 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist in 39 minutes.
Bench:
Meadow Roland (#32): 8 points and 5 rebounds in just 15 minutes off the bench.
HER Game, HER Spotlight: Amarachi Kimpson
Amarachi Kimpson was an absolute beast in the Lady Rebels overtime win against Wyoming. She led the team with 22 points, shooting an impressive 8-for-12 from the field and staying perfect at the free throw line (6-for-6). When the game was tight, Amarachi stepped up like the star she is and got it done.
Her ability to get buckets in clutch moments kept the Lady Rebels in it. Whether she was driving to the hoop, hitting mid-range shots, or calmly knocking down free throws, Amarachi was locked in. She brought energy, confidence, and that killer instinct we’ve come to expect from her.
This kind of performance shows why Amarachi is such a key player for this team. She’s not just about scoring she’s about setting the tone, staying calm under pressure, and leading her squad to victory. Games like this prove she’s built for big moments.
Amarachi, we see you! Keep doing your thing.
What’s Next
The Lady Rebels keep rolling with this hard-fought win. They’ve shown they can handle the pressure and close out tight games. Keep it locked here at Her Game Network for more coverage as UNLV continues its incredible season!