The Wyoming Cowgirls faced off against the University of Las Vegas (UNLV) Lady Rebels in the final round of the Mountain West conference championships. The Cowgirls dropped the conference title in the final game of the season.
Wyoming started off with the ball, putting UNLV into defense. Allyson Fertig got the opportunity to shoot right away but failed as UNLV got the rebound and took the ball down the court. UNLV got a travel before the team could get the shot up. Wyoming had the first score in the game in their next play.
Shortly after, UNLV got a lay up. UNLV was controlling the pace with their fast offensive game. With 5:40 left in the first quarter, the score was 7-10, UNLV in the lead. Tommi Olson made a three pointer to tie the game.
The first time out was called with 4:55 left and it seemed like the Cowgirls had lost some momentum after the timeout as UNLV gained a lead of seven before UW could make a basket. With two minutes left, UNLV led 15-17.
The second quarter started off with a three pointer missed by Malene Pederson. UNLV got a turnover, their fifth one so far in the game. Wyoming got two points from the free throw line after UNLV fouled Marta Savic. Wyoming missed two shot attempts while UNLV scored to change the score to 19-23 with seven minutes left.
With 4:38 left in the second half, a second timeout was called and the score was sitting at 21-25, the Lady Rebels still leading. At the two minute mark, the score was 26-31. Wyoming dropped from two points behind the leaders to five. After they gained some ground before half time, the Lady Rebels led the Cowgirls 28-31.
At the start of the third quarter, a foul was made very quickly by a Wyoming player and a very quick pace was set as the Lady Rebels pushed the scoreboard to 28-36.
UNLV was in a zone defense, making it very difficult for the Wyoming defense to get buckets in the paint. Pederson pushed through the Lady Rebels defense and got Wyoming two points. With 5:40 left Wyoming trailed 30-41, their biggest gap from the top yet.
At this point, UNLV has switched back to the one on one defense. The Cowgirls still decided to play their outside shots as Fertig was out with three fouls for most of the third quarter.
Grace Ellis sank a three pointer with 3:58 left in the third quarter. Wyoming made four three point shot attempts in a row jumping their score up to 44-47. Wyoming continued their shooting streak as Ellis banks another two pointer in the key and Emily Mellema added to the three point streak making the score 49-50 after five three point shots. The third quarter ended with a score of 49-52, UNLV still in the lead.
The final quarter began with UNLV making an early shot. Wyoming went a few minutes without scoring before Tess Barnes made a two point shot. Fertig went to the line on the next offensive play when she made one point for the Cowgirls. Later on, another three point shot was made. The score was 55-61 with 5:29 left in the game.
Both teams remained scoreless for the next few minutes before UNLV made two baskets. With 2:36 remaining the Cowgirls were down by 10 points.
Weidemann took to the top of the key and made her signature three point shot to make the score 58-65. The Lady Rebels gained two points following the three point shot, soon after sending Fertig to the free throw line again.
With 1:08 left the Cowgirls trailed by 11 points. A layup was made by Mellema soon after the Lady Rebels made some free throw points. With 35.2 seconds left, Wyoming took a quick timeout.
UNLV ran out the time clock, ending the game 60-71. The Lady Rebels are back to back conference champions.
