New Mexico 80, UNLV 52

3/7/2007 8:41 PM

LAS VEGAS (AP) -Dionne Marsh scored a game-high 19 points to lead New Mexico to an 80-52 victory over UNLV in the quarterfinal round of the Mountain West Conference women's tournament Wednesday.

Marsh was 7-of-11 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line. She also had five rebounds and five assists.

Katie Montgomery added 17 points and eight assists for third-seeded New Mexico (22-8). Valerie Kast and Julie Briody had 12 points apiece for the winners, who now play No. 2 Wyoming in the semifinals Friday.

The Lobos jumped to a 17-0 lead before the Rebels finally scored a point 7:15 into the game, and later led 21-1. UNLV, which turned the ball over 23 times, did not have a field goal until there was 10:12 left in the half.

Faye Muller (eight rebounds) and Kameca Simmons led the No. 6 Rebels (14-15) with 12 points apiece.

After New Mexico led 40-18 at halftime, the Lobos never let the Rebels closer than 19 and later built a 38-point lead with 3:47 left.

The Lobos went 32-of-55 (58 percent) from the floor, while the Rebels were 19-of-49 (38 percent).

New Mexico got revenge after losing last year to UNLV in the quarterfinals at Denver. The then No. 21 Lobos were upset 57-45 by the Rebels. That also stopped New Mexico's three-year reign as tournament champions.