LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — Jasmyn Lott scored 23 points and Shelbee Brown added 16 points as UNLV used a dominant first half to secure a 69-58 victory over Utah State in a Mountain West women’s basketball game Wednesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Runnin’ Rebels, improving to 10-5 overall, built a 39-28 halftime lead behind efficient offense and a disruptive defense that held the Aggies to 28.6% shooting in the opening 20 minutes. UNLV never trailed, opening the game on a 20-7 run and maintaining a double-digit cushion for much of the second half.

The most critical stretch of the game occurred in the first quarter, where UNLV established a tone that Utah State could never fully overcome. After Utah State’s Sophie Sene opened the scoring with a layup just 17 seconds in, UNLV responded with a decisive 18-5 surge over the next six and a half minutes. The run was fueled by Lott, the sophomore guard from Frisco, Texas, who hit a pair of three-pointers and two free throws during the stretch. Meadow Roland, who finished with 18 points and three blocks, also connected from beyond the arc. The Aggies committed four turnovers during this pivotal period, struggling to find any offensive rhythm against UNLV’s pressure.

Utah State, which fell to 6-8, chipped away in the third quarter, closing the gap to nine points on several occasions. A driving layup by Marina Asensio made it 52-43 with 2:21 left in the third, but the Aggies could get no closer. Each time Utah State threatened, UNLV answered. Following Asensio’s basket, the Rebels scored on their next two possessions, with a Shelbee Brown free throw and a Trystan James layup pushing the lead back to 12.

The Aggies were led by Asensio, who scored 16 points and dished out three assists. Paloma Munoz Herreros added 12 points, all from beyond the arc, and Sene contributed 14 points and a team-high four offensive rebounds. Utah State’s effort was hampered by poor shooting, finishing the night 23 of 66 from the field and 7 of 28 from three-point range.

UNLV, while not shooting lights out, was more efficient, making 26 of 62 field goals and 6 of 22 three-pointers. The Rebels also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 11 of 15 attempts compared to Utah State’s 5 of 6. A significant advantage came on the glass, where UNLV outrebounded Utah State 16-11 on the offensive end, leading to 15 second-chance points.

Defensively, Roland’s presence in the paint was a major factor, recording three blocks and altering several other shots. UNLV also forced 14 Utah State turnovers, converting them into 18 points. The Aggies did manage nine steals, led by Jamisyn Heaton’s three, but their own 10 turnovers proved less costly to the Rebels.

The game drew an announced crowd of 499 to the 18,500-seat Thomas & Mack Center. The result extended UNLV’s home winning streak to four games and continued Utah State’s struggles on the road in conference play.

UNLV next travels to face Wyoming on Saturday. Utah State returns home to host San Diego State, also on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Logan on Feb. 7.