Better play, but still a loss - Laramie Boomerang

Cowgirls show improvement in 3-point loss in MW opener By SCOTT NULPH / snulph@wyosports.net • Thursday, January 12, 2012

University of Wyoming junior forward Ashley Sickles looks to make a pass around UNLV’s Lenita Sanford Wednesday night at the Arena-Auditorium. Andy Carpenean/WyoSports photographer

The University of Wyoming Cowgirls were right where they wanted to be Wednesday night in their Mountain West Conference opener against UNLV.

The Cowgirls trailed the hottest team in the conference by just three points with just under three minutes to go inside the Arena-Auditorium.

But that’s where UNLV’s veteran lineup took over and Wyoming’s inexperience showed again.

The Lady Rebels made the plays down the stretch and the Cowgirls didn’t in a 54-51 victory by UNLV to kick off conference play. UNLV improves to 13-4 overall while the Cowgirls drop to 4-10.

“It feels good to play the top team in the league close like this,” UW junior Chaundra Sewell, who had 10 points and four rebounds before fouling out, said. “It’s bittersweet because we still didn’t get the ‘W.’ It’s still a loss.”

The Cowgirls improved from recent play in almost every category against the Lady Rebels.

UW shot better from the field, played better defense and hung with the taller, more physical Lady Rebels on the glass. Freshman Kayla Woodward came out of her offensive funk to score a game-high â€" and for her a career-high â€" 21 points.

Yet, playing with four freshmen on the floor for a large portion of the second half, crucial turnovers and the inability to get off a quality shot late spelled the difference.

“We’re growing as a group,” UW coach Joe Legerski said. “We just have to learn how to finish. We talked about defending home court. We had some chances tonight. I thought we turned the ball over, maybe a little nervousness, anxiousness.

“Down the stretch we had four freshmen in the basketball game. I liked their effort but we’re just trying to get them to grow up quicker. I have to let them learn through these games and hopefully we can build upon this.”

UW led for the first 10 minutes, including 12-9 on a Woodward hoop with 11 minutes to go.

UNLV responded with a 10-0 for a 19-12 lead and took a 30-23 cushion into halftime.

The Lady Rebels lead stretch to 41-31 on a 3-pointer by Kelli Thompson with 12:45 to go. But from there the Cowgirls slowly chipped away at the UNLV lead, cutting the margin to 47-46 on a Kaitlyn Mileto 3-pointer with 6:41 to go. Two Woodward free throws with 1:40 again cut the lead to a point, setting up a frantic finish.

Down three, Mileto missed a long 3-pointer with just under a minute left. An Ashley Sickles free throw with 28 seconds left made it 54-51. UW got the ball back but turned it over before getting a potential game-tying shot off.

But UNLV missed a free throw with 20.9 seconds left, only to block a Mileto 3-point attempt with 6 seconds to go. Again, UNLV missed from the free throw line, and UW had one last chance, but Mileto’s trey attempt from just across half court sailed wide.

“We had some silly mistakes at the end, but I think we’re really showing our potential right now,” Woodward said. “With (Sewell) out of there (with foul trouble) that didn’t help.”

Woodward’s 21 points came on 9 of 15 shooting from the field and two free throws.

“I thought Kayla Woodward came out as aggressive play as she’s shown all season long,” Legerski said. “She played extremely well, shot the ball well, went to the boards, rebounded.”

Sewell added 10 points and Mileto scored eight. Sickles chipped in six points and nine rebounds.

Mia Bell led three UNLV players in double figures with 12 points.

“It just shows we’re right in there with every single team in this league,” Sewell said. “We can go to New Mexico and get a win if we play tough and play together.”

UW travels to Albuquerque for its first conference road game on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Free throws

UNLV broke a four-game losing streak in Laramie with Wednesday night’s win. … UNLV senior Jamie Smith was held to just six points by the Cowgirls. She needs seven more to break the 1,000-point barrier. … UW freshman forward Jordan Sibrel played 16 minutes due to Sewell’s foul trouble. It’s the most Sibrel’s played since playing 18 against Denver on Nov. 14.

There is a 100 word limitation per post.

Comments are not posted until after being approved by Laramie Boomerang staff.

Comments may be rejected by the Laramie Boomerang staff at their discretion.

The comments posted on the Reader Comments section are not necessarily those of the Laramie Boomerang.

If you would like to report an offensive post, please contact us.