UNLV THANKSGIVING CLASSIC FOR LADY REBELS STARTS WEDNESDAY
UNLV hosts East Carolina, Montana State and UCF for weekend classic
The UNLV women’s basketball team will round out the five-game homestand hosting the UNLV Thanksgiving Classic starting Wednesday with a noon matchup versus UCF (6-0) at the Thomas & Mack Center. East Carolina (3-2) and Montana State (4-1) will follow at approximately 2:30 p.m.
On Friday, the Scarlet & Gray will face East Carolina at 2:30 p.m., following the contest between UCF and Montana State at noon.
ABOUT UCF: Wednesday’s game marks only the second meeting between the Lady Rebels and Knights. The first meeting between the two programs was two decades ago during the 2004-05 season, when UNLV won 60-58 over UCF in Las Vegas. The Knights are currently 6-0 on the season. UCF is led by Kaitlin Peterson who is averaging 22.0 points per game and Hannah Gusters who is averaging 14.8 points per game. Gusters also leads the Knights in rebounds with 9.5 per game.
ABOUT EAST CAROLINA: This marks the first meeting between the two programs. East Carolina comes into the UNLV Thanksgiving Classic with a 3-2 overall record with wins against Charleston Southern, Furman and Howard. The Pirates are led by Amiya Joyner who averages a double-double of 16.6 ppg and 10.4 rpg. Jayla Hearp is also averaging double-figures in scoring with 13.0.
PROMOTIONS: Fans are encouraged to arrive early to get a Lady Rebels rally towel, while supplies last. Additionally, fans in attendance will receive a Lady Rebels poster.
TICKETS: Tickets are $6 when purchased in advance online at UNLVTickets.com. General admission tickets at the door are $10 ($8 for seniors, UNLV faculty/staff and alumni). UNLV students and Nevada high school students (presenting student ID) as well as all children 12 and under enter free.
BROADCAST INFO: The game will air live locally on the Silver State Sports and Entertainment Network (KVVU 5.2, Cox 125) and stream online on the Mountain West Network (theMW.com/watch). Play-by-play announcer Wyatt Tomchek will have the call.
THREE-PEAT LAST SEASON: The Lady Rebels have continued to bring the heat last season, which culminated with a third consecutive Mountain West Regular Season and Tournament Titles. UNLV became the first program in MW history to claim both titles in three straight seasons. The Scarlet & Gray earned its third automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, a first in both program and league history. The Lady Rebels finished the season only one of two squads to have two (South Carolina) straight seasons with 30 wins. UNLV earned its highest ranking in both the AP and Coaches Poll coming in at No. 20 and No. 19. The Lady Rebels appeared in the Top-25 eight times this season and came into the season receiving votes for the first time in 19 years. UNLV claimed the MW’s Player of the Year in Desi-Rae Young (All-MW Team and All-Defensive Team), and Sixth and Freshman of the Year with Amarachi Kimspon (All-MW Team honorable mention and All-Freshman MW Team). Kiara Jackson earned All-MW team accolades and Alyssa Brown was named MW Tournament MVP.
WHAT UP SQUAD: The Lady Rebels return 10 of the 14 players from its 2024 championship squad, including two starters and Mountain West Sixth Player and Freshman of the Year Amarachi Kimpson. UNLV added two freshmen guards Teagan Colvin and Elli Guiney, and junior transfer Aaliyah Alexander from Eastern Washington.
UP NEXT: The Scarlet & Gray will next play East Carolina in the final game of the UNLV Thanksgiving Classic on Friday, Nov. 29 at 2:30 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.