Lady Rebels survive Horned Frogs’ rally to halt three-game losing skid

One coach was leaving and the other staying behind, but both agreed they didn't want to face each other in next month's Mountain West Conference women's basketball tournament.

UNLV's Kathy Olivier and Texas Christian's Jeff Mittie know a third meeting might be too tough to take.

The Lady Rebels have won the first two, but on Wednesday had to survive a layup that spun out and a missed 3-point shot before finally exhaling and celebrating a 55-54 victory at Cox Pavilion.

Lenita Sanford finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds for UNLV, which ended a three-game losing streak and reached 18 victories for the first time since the 2005-06 season. If the Lady Rebels (18-8, 6-4 MWC) beat New Mexico at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, they would have their most wins since the 2003-04 team went 26-8.

Getting by the Horned Frogs (12-13, 5-5) didn't seem like it would be a problem after going up 36-21 with 14:16 left. A big lead over TCU? What could go wrong?

The Frogs shot their way back into the game, with Meagan Henson and Natalie Ventress making back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the score at 42 with 6:40 left.

Ventress, who had five 3-pointers and scored 25 points, made two more 3s to bring TCU within 53-52 with 1:10 left.

Then it looked as if the Frogs would take the lead when Briesha Wynn drove down the left side of the lane for an open layup, but the ball spun out with 16 seconds remaining.

Sanford rebounded and got the ball to Mia Bell, who was fouled with 11 seconds to go. She then made both free throws for a three-point lead.

"I just wanted to stay calm," said Bell, who scored 11 points. "I took a couple of deep breaths, saying, 'I know I will make it.'"

TCU still had a chance to tie the game, but UNLV appeared to surprise the Frogs by going to a 3-2 zone.

"I think they were expecting us to be in man," Bell said. "That's what it looked like, because they called the play that they ran a lot. We were in zone, and they had to go with something and just threw up a shot."

Ventress, though, was the one who threw up that shot -- the last player the Rebels wanted to see with the ball. But Sanford forced her into an airball from the right corner, which went to a TCU teammate for a meaningless final-second basket.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.