UNLV women eliminated by buzzer-beater in WBIT

UNLV Lady Rebels guard Kiara Jackson (3) takes the ball upcourt against San Diego State Aztecs guard Natalia Martinez (21) during the second half of a Mountain West Tournament semifinal basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Photo by Steve Marcus

It can end that quickly.

The UNLV women’s basketball team appeared poised to advance to the quarterfinals of the WBIT, leading Florida by one point as the Gators’ final possession descended into a loose-ball scramble. Then the ball found its way into the hands of Kenza Salgues, and she drilled a 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded to give Florida the win and end UNLV’s season, 86-84.

The Scarlet and Gray wrap the 2024-25 campaign with a 26-8 record.

UNLV head coach Lindy La Rocque was disappointed in the result, especially for the program’s graduating seniors.

“Unfortunately it ends up being our last game of the season on a buzzer-beating 3,” La Rocque said.

It was a sudden conclusion to a UNLV postseason run that, for most of Sunday afternoon, looked like it was going to extend to the next round. The Scarlet and Gray started fast and led by as many as 14 points late in the first half before Florida turned red hot and shot its way back into the game.

UNLV led, 50-36, with time running out in the second quarter when Florida wing Jeriah Warren banked in a long 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer. That was an omen of things to come for the Scarlet and Gray as they watched Florida make 9-of-15 from 3-point range in the second half, including a 5-of-8 showing from Warren.

In the fourth quarter, Florida made 4-of-6 from deep as the teams traded the lead nine times.

UNLV led, 78-76, when Kiara Jackson went coast to coast, dribbled behind her back and dropped in a lefty floater to make it a two-possession game with 3:45 remaining.

Liv McGill popped in a 3 from the top of the key to put Florida ahead, 81-80, with two minutes left. UNLV trailed, 82-80, with 90 seconds remaining when Amarachi Kimpson drove baseline and pulled up to can a 12-footer. She was fouled on the shot but did not make the and-1 free throw, leaving the scored tied.

Aaliyah Alexander drove and drew a foul on a short floater; the senior calmly sank both free throws (with a friendly bounce on the second) to put the Scarlet and Gray in front, 84-82, with 43 seconds on the clock.

Jackson had a chance to land a dagger, but her driving attempt blocked after running down the clock on UNLV’s final possession. Florida took over with 10 seconds left, and after each team called timeout, the Gators inbounded to McGill. She lost her dribble and was nearly stripped at the top of the key, but she regained possession and flipped a pass to Salgues on the right wing. Salgues let it go just in time and swished the 3 to give Florida the buzzer-beater victory.

McGill scored 22 points while Warren tallied 18 for Florida. Salgues scored 13 on 3-of-6 shooting from deep. As a team the Gators nailed 14-of-25 from beyond the arc.

La Rocque could only shake her head at how close UNLV came to clinching the win before Florida snatched it away.

“That’s sports,” La Rocque said. “That’s basketball. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way. We’ve been on the other side of that, also.”

Jackson totaled 15 points and eight assists in her final college game, while senior center Alyssa Brown posted 17 points and 11 rebounds.

UNLV now heads into the offseason with a very bright prognosis. Kimpson, the team’s leading scorer with 24 points, will return for her junior season in 2025-26, and she’ll be joined by Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Sixth Player of the Year Meadow Roland (12 points, six rebounds). Starting forward McKinna Brackens will also be back.

Brown believes it’s a nucleus that can lead the Scarlet and Gray back to the NCAA Tournament.

“As for the future, I’m super excited,” Brown said. “We have a lot of young people. Amarachi, and we have some incoming freshmen I’m excited about. I’m excited to see them carry the culture and the winning forward.”

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