Lady Rebels claim third straight win

Guard Mia Bell, forward Lenita Sanford and reserve center Markiell Styles combined for 32 points to spark the UNLV women's basketball team to a 54-51 victory over Wyoming in Laramie on Wednesday night in the Mountain West Conference opener for both teams.

Bell had 12 points, four rebounds and three assists, Sanford had 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots, and Styles had 10 points -- going 5 for 5 from the field -- and seven rebounds for the Lady Rebels (13-4), who have won three straight.

UNLV took the lead for good with a 10-0 run in the first half. The Rebels led by as many as 10 in the second half before Wyoming (4-10) rallied, cutting the deficit to 51-50 with 1:42 left.

Sanford then hit a jumper for a 53-50 lead before each team hit one free throw for the final margin. The Cowgirls had three chances to tie the score in the final 24 seconds, but Sanford made a steal and they missed two 3-point shots.