Lucas stars in homecoming

Disappointed with her performance in her season debut for No. 4 North Carolina, former Centennial High School star Italee Lucas was determined to make the next opponent pay.

It just so happened to be the Lady Rebels.

The junior guard put on quite a show Sunday in her return to her hometown, exploding for a game-high 24 points and eight rebounds to lead the Tar Heels to a 78-68 victory over UNLV in front of the second-largest crowd -- 1,667 -- in Cox Pavilion history.

Lucas sank 9 of 14 shots, 4 of 8 from 3-point range, after scoring only nine points in Wednesday's 88-49 rout of Coastal Carolina. She sat out North Carolina's season opener with a sore left knee she had hyperextended in practice.

"I wasn't that good (Wednesday) because I just came off my injury, but whoever I was going to play (next), I was going to show them something," Lucas said. "I'm just so excited it was in front of my friends and family. I wanted to show them a little something, of course."

One of the players on the preseason watch list for the Naismith Trophy -- which is awarded to the nation's top player -- Lucas sank her first three shots, all 3-pointers, to lead the Tar Heels (3-0) to a 39-23 lead, their largest of the game.

The 5-foot-8-inch Lucas also wowed the crowd with a behind-the-back pass on a fast break and an array of drives and jumpers.

"She brings a lot of energy to our team, and our style of play fits her because I let her play her game," UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. "She can shoot as good as probably any guard in the country."

UNLV (2-2) finished the first half on a 20-9 run to cut its deficit to 48-43, but Lucas started the second half on a 5-0 run of her own, sinking a trey and a layup, to push the Tar Heels' lead back to 10.

The Lady Rebels twice pulled within five points late but got no closer as they fell to 4-22 against top-five teams.

Jamie Smith led UNLV with 17 points and 18 rebounds, and Kelli Thompson added 15 points.

I've always wanted to go to North Carolina, from Michael Jordan to Mia Hamm, it's always been a dream of mine," said Lucas, who led Centennial to two state titles and earned Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2007.

She established herself as North Carolina's starting shooting guard last season, when she averaged 13.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

But Hatchell expects her to be even better this season. "I think she's going to have another great year and hopefully be an All-American," Hatchell said.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or at 702-383-0354.