LAS VEGAS, Nev.— Cacia Antonio led the Lobos with a season-high 22 points, one of three players to finish in double figures, as the Lobos lost to UNLV 89-71 on Saturday.
Destinee Hooks finished with 13 points to extend her double-digit streak to 13 games and Nayli Padilla scored 10 points behind two three-pointers, the sixth time in double figures. Antonio and Padilla each created two steals with Antonio also leading with a team-high three assists. For Antonio, it was the second time leading the team in scoring.
Saturday was the first time this season that the Lobos have lost when three players reach double figures and when scoring at least 70 points.
The Lobos scored the first six points of the game as Antonio scored on the first possession and added two free throws for the 4-0 early lead less than a minute in. A Laila Abdurraqib offensive rebound and layup extended the lead to six before UNLV made a three-pointer and added a basket to cut the lead to one. An Antonio jumper pushed the lead back to three, however, two UNLV three-pointers gave UNLV its first lead at 11-8 with Antonio scoring on the other end for her eighth point of the game.
UNLV led 13-10 midway through the first quarter with the Lady Rebels extending the margin to 18 behind a 17-0 run. An Abdurraqib three ended the run with UNLV matching one on the other end as the Lobos trailed 31-13 at the end of the first.
Of the 13 points, Antonio accounted for eight and Abdurraqib five.
Hooks started the second quarter with a free throw with UNLV making a three on its first possession to stretch the margin to 20. An Antonio three-pointer pushed her past double digits and pulled UNM within 17, the closest the Lobos were in the quarter as the Lady Rebels extended the margin to 23 points and later to 24 points with under a minute left. A Padilla steal and layup closed the quarter with UNM trailing 54-32 at the break.
Antonio had 13 points at the break of 5-8 shooting with Padilla at seven points.
Antonio scored five consecutive points for the Lobos at the start of the third quarter with an Emma Najjuma offensive rebound and layup getting the gap down to 21 points and a Padilla three-pointer with 31 seconds left making it an 18-point game at 71-53. UNLV closed with three free throws for the 74-53 score at the end of the third as a three-quarter court heave from Antonio was deemed to have left her hand too late.
Antonio added seven points in the third quarter on 3-5 shooting with 14 of the 21 points coming in the paint and seven points second-chance points.
Hooks scored 10 points in the fourth quarter as the Lobos pulled within 18 points four times in the final quarter, but were unable to get any closer in the 89-71 final.
The Lobos (9-4, 1-1 MW) are off until New Year’s Eve when they host Wyoming at 1 p.m. MT.