Next wave takes charge as UNLV women knock off Hawaii in WBIT

UNLV Lady Rebels guard Amarachi Kimpson (33) drives past San Diego State Aztecs forward Kim Villalobos (23) as forward McKinna Brackens during the second half of a Mountain West Tournament semifinal basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Photo by Steve Marcus

Thursday’s WBIT victory over Hawaii may have offered a look into the future for the UNLV women’s basketball team, and according to head coach Lindy La Rocque, the view is nice.

As the Scarlet and Gray scored basket after basket to pull away for a 63-46 win in the tournament’s first round, it wasn’t the seniors doing the damage; fourth-year cornerstones Kiara Jackson and Alyssa Brown tallied a modest eight and four points, respectively.

Instead it was the next wave of UNLV stars powering the program, as freshman Meadow Roland, sophomore Amarachi Kimpson and sophomore Macy Spencer combined for 40 points on 15-of-30 shooting.

The No. 2-seed Scarlet and Gray advance to the second round of the 32-team tournament and will host No. 3 Florida on Sunday at Cox Pavilion.

La Rocque said the team was disappointed by their loss in the semifinals of the Mountain West tournament, but was happy to see the new crop has rallied around extending the season for the outgoing class.

“Our young players are playing hard for their seniors,” La Rocque said. “I’m proud of our young group that has stepped up for them. Amarachi and Meadow and Macy Spencer, they’re the only ones in double figures tonight and it’s a freshman and two sophomores. So I’m like, that looks pretty bright.”

UNLV fell behind 8-0 to open the game, perhaps a result of the “gray, gloomy” fog that sophomore McKinna Brackens said enveloped the team following the MWC tournament disappointment. But Roland checked in and scored six quick points to right the ship and the Scarlet and Gray took a 12-10 lead into the second quarter.

The youngsters pushed the lead to 27-20 at the half, and when Kimpson pulled up and sank a transition 3 midway through the third quarter to make it a 36-20 advantage, UNLV’s spot in the second round was secured.

Roland, the Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Sixth Player of the Year, finished with a team-high 16 points in 24 minutes. Kimpson scored 14 and Spencer added 10. Brackens totaled five points and a game-high 12 rebounds, showcasing another talent in UNLV’s returning menagerie.

La Rocque praised Roland’s knack for providing timely baskets.

“She was tremendous,” La Rocque said. “When we feel like we can’t score, she comes in and finds a way to score. She makes me look really smart.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.