UNLV women draw Arizona in first round of NCAAs

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Sunday, March 13, 2022 | 7:25 p.m.

The UNLV women’s basketball team didn’t have to wait very long to learn their fate on Sunday as they gathered at the Thomas & Mack Center to watch the NCAA Tournament selection show.

Just minutes into the broadcast, it was revealed the Mountain West champs are heading to Tucson as the No. 13 seed to take on No. 4 seed Arizona on Saturday. When that matchup was announced, the players and the approximately 250 fans in attendance burst into jubilant cheers.

The response left no doubt that after a 20-year NCAA drought, this team is ready to return to the big dance, regardless of their decided underdog status.

Second-year head coach Lindy La Rocque, who led UNLV to a 26-6 record this season, is embracing the opportunity to take on Arizona, the 2020-21 national runner-up.

“We’re just excited to be playing,” La Rocque said. “Obviously we don’t have to travel too far. Arizona’s a great opponent. They’re a really good team, really well coached, so we’ve got our work cut out for us. But we’re going to be really prepared and excited and have a great gameplan.”

The players don’t lack for confidence after winning the Mountain West regular season championship (15-3) and the conference tournament.

Essence Booker, the MWC tournament MVP, spoke for the entire team when she posited UNLV is more than capable of springing an upset on Saturday.

“We think we can beat anyone,” Booker said. “We believe we can win, especially this first round. We’ve got to take it one game at a time but we’re definitely confident going into this tournament.”

That’s exactly what the Scarlet and Gray faithful want to hear over the next week as UNLV prepares for its big game.

Starting center Khayla Rooks was pleasantly surprised by the turnout for the watch party.

“It’s incredible. I turned around and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe how many people came to support us.’ It’s truly incredible to have that much backing from your community and fans. It’s a blessing to see everybody here to celebrate with us.”

Should UNLV advance past Arizona, they will take on the winner of No. 5 North Carolina vs. No. 12 Stephen F. Austin.

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