Lady Rebels’ Bell finds niche as floor leader

UNLV women's basketball coach Kathy Olivier doesn't recruit many local players, but she occasionally sees one she can't let get away.

Mia Bell is one such player.

Bell, a 5-foot-6-inch junior guard, came to Olivier by way of Durango High, where she basically was a one-woman team during her senior season.

Bell played alongside Lindy LaRocque, who now plays at Stanford, until LaRocque graduated in 2008, leaving Bell and a roster that was otherwise unremarkable. During her time at Durango, Bell helped the Trailblazers to three postseason appearances and culminated her career with Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year honors after averaging 27 points, six rebounds and five assists in her senior season.

Such stats caught Olivier's eye, and the coach went into pursuit mode. She won out over Kansas State and New Mexico and never has regretted it for a day.

"I think Mia has been one of our best recruits," Olivier said. "And the city loves her. She's a local girl, and people can relate to her."

Bell said her decision was ultimately a no-brainer.

"Playing here in my hometown means a lot to me," said Bell, who as a regular starter is averaging 7.8 points and 3.4 assists this season. "That's why I chose to come to UNLV. Not a lot of local players have chosen to stay in town. I want to help other locals want to stay and play at UNLV."

Bell, who as a prep player had a reputation for dominating the action, has settled into her role as floor director for the Lady Rebels.

"She's having the year of her life," Olivier said. "She's got great leadership skills, and she works her tail off."

The Lady Rebels are off to an 8-2 start this season, and Olivier credited Bell for much of that success.

"Mia gets everyone in the right spots," she said. "She's quick, she sets people up, and she doesn't take bad shots."

Best of all, Olivier said, Bell has a keen ability to put the ball in the hands of the team's hottest shooter at any moment.

"She knows how to milk the cow," Olivier said. "If Kelli (Thompson) is hot, she finds a way to get it to Kelli. She always knows who's hot."

Bell said she no longer feels the need to try to dominate a game.

"I'm a point guard, so my job is to be the leader," she said. "I'm there to do anything they need me to do. I just try to get everybody involved."

Bell got herself involved on Saturday, driving the length of the court in the final four seconds and nailing a short jumper at the buzzer to lift the Lady Rebels to a 46-44 victory at UC Santa Barbara.

Despite the success, Bell said adjustments have been necessary.

"In high school, I really didn't depend on anybody but myself," Bell said. "Here at UNLV, it's a team effort."

Olivier said the transition has gone smoothly primarily because of Bell's willingness to learn.

"She's a student of the game," Olivier said. "I give her DVDs, and she watches them. Her knowledge of basketball has gone up so much."

Bell agreed.

"I think I see the game much better now," she said. "I've still got work to do, but things have gotten much easier."

She added that the hard work all has come as part of a grand plan.

"My goal for this season is to win the Mountain West Conference championship," she said. "I want to get a piece of the net, and that's why I try to push my teammates every way I can."

And she wants to be remembered as one who helped turn around the program.

"It's time for us to set the standards for years to come," Bell said. "There are going to be some great years here."

Olivier said Bell already has achieved that goal.

"Mia is proud to be part of this program," the coach said. "She wants to leave her mark, and I think she already has done that."

The Lady Rebels, who wrapped up three weeks of road play Saturday, return home Sunday to host Northwestern at 5 p.m. in the BTI Invitational at Cox Pavilion.