LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A game-winning 3-pointer from junior Da'Ja Hamilton with 1.3 seconds on the clock lifted the Nevada women's basketball team over in-state rival UNLV Monday afternoon, 73-70. The win splits the regular season series with the Lady Rebels and marks the first regular season victory over UNLV in Las Vegas in program history.
 
Hamilton finished the game with a career-high 32 points, the first 30-point game of her career and the most points by a Mountain West player this season. The California native knocked down four 3-pointers in the game, including the game-winner and a half court heave just before halftime. Senior Nia Alexander also scored in double figures, adding 13 points.
 
The game itself was tight from start to finish with neither team holding a double digit lead in a contest that featured 10 lead changes. Similar to Saturday's game against UNLV (8-7, 6-4 MW), the Lady Rebels led by two at halftime and by the time the third quarter rolled around the two teams found themselves tied up at 48.
 
As the fourth quarter got underway Hamilton started to take over right away, knocking down a three on the Wolf Pack's (8-7, 4-6 MW) first possession of the period. The two teams traded baskets back and forth for the first few minutes of the quarter, mainly exchanging 3-pointers. It wasn't until the 6:01 mark of the fourth that the scoring began shaping into Nevada's favor. Alexander hit her second consecutive triple to break the 58-58 tie and give the lead back to Nevada.
 
After a few scoreless minutes by both teams, Hamilton broke the scoring draught after driving hard to the basket and drawing a foul, hitting both her layup and her ensuing free throw. That gave Nevada its largest lead of the game at six points with 2:19 to go. The game was far from over though as the Lady Rebels answered with a triple on the other end, cutting the lead in half. Hamilton wasn't done yet though as she then took over, knocking down another 3-pointer with 1:01 on the clock to bring the lead back up to six.
 
With 18 seconds on the clock, and Nevada ahead 70-66, UNLV converted on a 4-point play, that had the potential to be a 5-point play, tying the game at 70. The Wolf Pack then had 11 seconds to work with to get the game-winning shot. A ball knocked out of bounds with five seconds remaining kept the hopes alive for Nevada when Hamilton stepped to the plate with time nearly set to expire, nailing a long range 3-pointer that proved to be the game winner.
 
Nevada remains on the road to face the defending Mountain West champions Boise State this coming Friday and Sunday from Boise, Idaho.