BYU Beats UNLV for Fifth Straight Win

LAS VEGAS -- The BYU women's basketball team passed its first test in the new Mountain West Conference, dealing UNLV an 84-75 loss Thursday to win its fifth straight game and first of the season against a conference opponent.

BYU (11-3, 1-0) was led by the hot hand of senior forward Jill Adams, who went 10-16 from the field and 3-5 from 3-point territory to finish with a game-high and career-best 28 points. Adams was aided by freshman guard Erin Thorn, who scored 15, and forward Cady Williams who chipped in an additional 14 points. Freshman Jennifer Leitner also came off the bench to score 10.

Constance Jinks led the Rebels (8-6, 0-1) with 20 points, followed closely behind by forward Linda Frohlich, who posted a double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds. With the win, BYU dealt the Rebels just their second loss at home this year. The last time BYU won five straight was during the 1997-1998 season. The Cougars are off to their best start since 1992-1993, when the team finished 24-5 to claim the regular season WAC title.

"This was a big win for us," said BYU head coach Trent Shippen. "We played well and are excited to get off to a good start in the conference."

The Cougars jumped out to an early lead, with a halftime edge of 36 to UNLV's 22. Though UNLV pulled to within seven with less than a minute to play, the Cougars held on to grab the win.

BYU will conclude its first conference road trip against San Diego State Saturday at 7 p.m. The Cougars will then return to Provo for home games against Colorado State and Wyoming.