Lady Tigers roll to convincing 44-28 victory over Butler

Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Nevada forward Lindsay Phebus scores on a breakaway lay-up in the second half of Tuesday’s victory at Wynn Gym.
Ralph Pokorny | Daily Mail

The Nevada Lady Tigers closed out their first semester hoops slate with a decisive 44-28 victory over the visiting Butler Lady Bears Tuesday night at Wynn Gym.

The non-conference drubbing sent Nevada to its fourth consecutive win, as the Lady Tigers enter Christmas break 6-3 overall (2-2 WCC).

Nevada opened the contest on a 7-2 run, capped by freshman Alison Bower’s 15-foot jumper from the left corner. The Lady Tigers then went on top 10-4 on Hailee Lundine’s triple from the right corner.

Back-to-back threes from Sarah Creasy and Bower to open the second put the Lady Tigers up 16-6. Nevada closed out the half on a 12-4 run as point guard Calli Beshore lit up the scoreboard with nine quick points, followed by a Bower 3-pointer from the right wing as time expired in the first half.

The second half opened with Beshore coming off a screen and drilling a trey from the top of the key, handing Nevada a 31-10 edge. Nevada forward Lindsay Phebus’ steal and lay-in put Nevada in front by 23. Butler’s 6-0 spurt, however, trimmed the deficit to 33-16.

The third quarter concluded with Beshore slashing into the lane and kicking to Payge Dahmer on the right wing for three, putting Nevada on top by 20.

Nevada’s lead ballooned to 27 after opening the final frame with a Bower baseline jumper, a Dahmer 3-pointer, and a Phebus lay-in. Despite concluding the contest just 1-of-11 from the charity stripe, the Lady Tigers coasted to victory. Butler was unable to find any answers for Nevada’s backcourt, as Beshore finished with a game-high 13, while Bower chipped in 12 and Dahmer, 6.

“Alison Bower is really showing confidence, and it’s taking pressure off Calli and Payge on the perimeter,” said Nevada head coach, Brent Bartlett, explaining a major key to the Lady Tigers four-game win streak. “And of course, (junior guard) Hailey Jackson is as consistent as can be playing defense and taking care of the basketball.”

Nevada Lady Tiger freshman guard Tylin Heathman, connects on a 3-pointer from the left corner, in the third quarter of Nevada’s junior varsity victory over Butler.
Matt Resnick | Daily Mail

Meanwhile, the Nevada Lady Tiger junior varsity squad (9-0) continues to impress, drilling Butler 55-33 in the opener Tuesday night. Lady Tiger freshman guard Tylin Heathman torched the nets, pouring in a game-high 21 points.

Heathman was unstoppable in the third quarter, scoring 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting from the field, including three 3-pointers. In addition, Nevada post players Sydney Ernsbarger and Brinna Ream combined for 21 points.

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