SAN JOSE, Calif. (Interstat) — The UNLV women’s basketball team used a dominant defensive performance and a balanced scoring attack to cruise past San Jose State 78-50 in a Mountain West Conference game Wednesday night at the Event Center.

The Runnin’ Rebels never trailed, opening the game on a 7-0 run and holding the Spartans to just nine first-quarter points. UNLV’s defensive pressure was relentless, forcing 20 San Jose State turnovers, which they converted into 20 points. The Spartans managed only five made three-pointers on 29 attempts, a 17.2 percent clip, and posted an offensive rating of just 66.1 points per 100 possessions.

UNLV guard Mariah Elohim led all scorers with 18 points, including four three-pointers, in 27 minutes. She also dished out three assists. She was complemented inside by forward Destiny Brown, who provided a significant spark off the bench with 15 points and a game-high offensive rebounding presence, grabbing five on that end in just 17 minutes of play. Starter Shelbee Brown added 12 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.

The Rebels’ depth was on full display as nine different players scored. Guard Aaliyah Alexander contributed nine points and four assists, while reserves Hodaya Kabada and Erica Collins combined for 10 points in limited fourth-quarter action.

San Jose State, struggling through a difficult season, was led by guard Allie Cummins, who scored a team-high 20 points. Center Gabriela Pato was the only other Spartan in double figures, finishing with 11 points, seven rebounds, and a block. The Spartans were hampered by poor ball movement, recording only three assists as a team.

The most important stretch of the game came early, as UNLV established immediate control. After San Jose State’s Stella Sgro hit a pull-up jumper to make it 7-2, the Rebels clamped down. They forced turnovers on three consecutive Spartan possessions—two travels and a steal by Shelbee Brown—while extending their lead. A three-pointer by Elohim with 3:10 left in the first quarter pushed the advantage to 17-4, and the lead never dipped below double digits again. This opening salvo, fueled by defensive intensity, set the tone for the entire contest and allowed UNLV to manage the game comfortably.

UNLV methodically built its lead each quarter, shooting 40.3 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc. A 26-point fourth quarter, the highest-scoring period for either team, put the game fully out of reach, with the Rebels’ bench unit closing out the victory.

With the win, UNLV improved to 12-5 overall and 3-1 in Mountain West play. The Runnin’ Rebels have now won four of their last five games. San Jose State fell to 2-16 overall and 0-4 in the conference, extending its losing streak to six games.

UNLV will return home to face San Diego State on Saturday. San Jose State travels to face Colorado State, also on Saturday.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 347 at the Event Center.