UNLV Women Get Away From Long Beach

Sixth-ranked Nevada Las Vegas escaped with its perfect record intact by defeating Cal State Long Beach, 80-75, Saturday night in a Big West Conference women’s game before a crowd of 1,758 at Long Beach’s University Gym.

The Rebels (13-0 overall, 4-0 in the conference) are one of two women’s teams in the country with a perfect record, the other being Rutgers (12-0), which defeated No. 1 Penn State Saturday.

“Typical of a big rivalry, rankings and records mean nothing when these two teams step on the floor,” UNLV Coach Jim Bolla said.

The Rebels watched as the 22nd-ranked 49ers (6-5, 4-1) made a late charge with a 14-4 run that nearly erased an 11-point lead. Long Beach closed to 58-57 with eight minutes left.

But the 49ers’ momentum was stopped when Vicki Lander made two three-point baskets to build the Rebels’ lead to 64-57.

The 49ers got to within two points with 2:15 remaining and had several opportunities, but were unable to capitalize on UNLV turnovers--28 in all--and at the free- throw line, making only 19 of 31.

Lander scored 26 points and 6-6 center Merlelynn Lange, who had 13 points and 11 rebounds in the first half, finished with 15 of each.

Dana Wilkerson had 17 points for Long Beach.