Miller’s late trey lifts Lady Rebels

Danielle Miller made the most of her only field goal Saturday for the UNLV women’s basketball team.

The junior guard hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 53 seconds left that turned out to be decisive for the Lady Rebels, who hung on to defeat Cal State Bakersfield 76-74 at the Thomas &Mack Center.

UNLV (2-2) closed with a 9-3 run to escape with the victory after back-to-back close losses to Brigham Young and Northwestern. Bakersfield (1-3) missed two shots in the final five seconds.

“Our last two games could have gone either way so I’m happy we pulled this one out,” UNLV coach Kathy Olivier said.

The Lady Rebels’ front line combined for 46 points and 26 rebounds: Amie Callaway had 20 points and nine rebounds, Rejane Verin had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Alana Cesarz added 10 points and four rebounds.

“Our goal was to get inside and our post players wanted the ball. They really stepped up today,” Olivier said.

The Lady Rebels led 67-64 with 5:10 left before Bakersfield went on a 7-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Dajy Vines.

The teams traded the lead again until Miller’s open 3-pointer from the corner, and Cesarz blocked a shot by Vines on the Roadrunners’ ensuing possession.

Briana Charles added eight points and five assists for UNLV.

Vines led the Roadrunners with 20 points and six rebounds. Tyonna Outland scored 15 points, and Melissa Sweat and Shaquita Smith added 12 each.