LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — A blistering shooting display from beyond the arc propelled the UNLV women’s basketball team to a decisive 89-71 victory over New Mexico in a Mountain West Conference game Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Runnin’ Rebels connected on 16 of 28 three-point attempts, a 57.1% clip that proved to be the defining factor against a Lobos squad that struggled to keep pace. UNLV’s offensive efficiency was stark, scoring 89 points on just 70 possessions for a rating of 126.9, while New Mexico managed 71 points on 66 possessions for a 108.3 rating.

The game’s most important sequence unfolded in the first quarter, setting a tone the Lobos could never overcome. After New Mexico’s Cacia Antonio scored the opening basket, UNLV unleashed a barrage of three-pointers. Destiny Leo, coming off the bench, hit three from deep in the period, part of a 7-for-11 team effort from three-point range in the first 10 minutes. This shooting, combined with a technical foul assessed to the New Mexico bench, fueled a 31-point quarter for the Rebels. They led by 18 points after one period and maintained a double-digit advantage for the remainder of the contest, effectively deciding the game early.

UNLV was led by a dominant performance from Shelbee Brown. The junior from Memphis, Tennessee, recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, adding three assists in 32 minutes. She anchored a Rebels defense that limited New Mexico’s second chances and controlled the glass. Meadow Roland of Fresno, California, led all scorers with 18 points, dished out five assists and grabbed seven rebounds. Leo finished with 20 points, all in the first three quarters, on 6-of-10 shooting from three-point range. Aaliyah Alexander contributed 13 points and five assists.

New Mexico, which fell to 9-4 overall, was led by Antonio. The sophomore from Luanda, Angola, fought hard for a team-high 22 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Destinee Hooks added 13 points for the Lobos, who won the battle in the paint 34-28 and forced 11 turnovers but were ultimately undone by UNLV’s superior shooting efficiency. The Lobos shot just 31.8% from three-point range and were out-assisted 23-6.

The win improved UNLV’s record to 7-5. According to Interstat’s ELO system, the Rebels entered the game with an 85% probability to win, a projection they fulfilled convincingly with their perimeter offense.

Both teams now look ahead to their next conference matchups on New Year’s Eve. New Mexico will host Wyoming, while UNLV will welcome Fresno State to the Thomas & Mack Center. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Albuquerque on Jan. 28.