Lady Rebels Shine in Thanksgiving Classic Finale, Defeat East Carolina 64-49
The UNLV Lady Rebels wrapped up their Thanksgiving Classic in style with a strong 64-49 victory over the East Carolina Pirates on Friday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center. This win pushes the Lady Rebels to 6-2 on the season and gives them a 1-0 lead in their series against ECU.
Sophomore McKinna Brackens once again led the way, putting up 17 points on an efficient 7-for-10 from the field. She also hit a three-pointer and went 2-for-3 from the free throw line. Her dominant presence was matched by Amarachi Kimpson, who added 13 points, including two from deep, and Meadow Roland, who brought energy off the bench with 12 points and five rebounds. Kiara Jackson kept the offense flowing with six assists, and Alyssa Brown contributed five rebounds.
Lady Rebels Dominate Early and Stay Strong
UNLV wasted no time establishing control, putting up 21 points in the first quarter to jump out to a commanding 21-10 lead. By halftime, they had extended their advantage to 38-24, using a mix of sharp offense and disciplined defense. The Lady Rebels maintained their intensity throughout the second half, never allowing the Pirates to gain any significant momentum.
Defensively, UNLV shut down ECU’s outside shooting, holding them to 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. They also edged out the Pirates in rebounding 33-31 and outscored them in the paint 34-32.
HER Game, HER Spotlight: McKinna Brackens Continues to Shine
Sophomore forward McKinna Brackens is proving herself as a key player for the Lady Rebels, delivering another standout performance against East Carolina. Brackens led the team with 17 points, shooting an efficient 7-for-10 from the field. She also tied her career high with two blocked shots and stepped up defensively to anchor UNLV in the paint.
Her game wasn’t just about scoring Brackens made her presence felt on both ends of the floor. One of her most notable moments came when she confidently drained a three-pointer, adding to the Rebels’ momentum and sealing the victory.
Game after game, Brackens continues to elevate her play and provide the consistency UNLV needs to thrive in the Mountain West Conference.