Ethridge ‘in the right place at the right time’ as UNLV gets ready for March Madness

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 | 2 a.m.

When it comes to Justice Ethridge’s role on the UNLV women’s basketball team, consistency is key.

As the Scarlet and Gray rocketed through their historic 2022-23 campaign, winning 22 consecutive games (and counting) and a second consecutive Mountain West championship, Ethridge was always right where her teammates and coaches expected her to be — doing her job and doing it well.

Ethridge has blossomed into an ultraefficient third scorer as a senior, averaging a career-best 9.1 points per game while making 39.8% of her 3-point shots (best on the team). And her greatest contribution has been her reliability.

UNLV knows exactly what to expect from her, night in and night out.

“I just try to be in the right place at the right time,” said Ethridge, a local product from Centennial High School.

That attitude has helped UNLV reach the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row, and when the Lady Rebels take on Michigan in a first-round matchup Friday in Baton Rouge, La., Ethridge will once again be expected to deliver when called upon.

It’s a role she has grown into, and now she’s thriving.

Because UNLV runs most of its offense through top scorers Desi-Rae Young and Essence Booker, opposing defenses often focus their attention on the stars. That puts an onus on Ethridge and other role players to take the pressure off by executing consistently and making shots when left open.

Ethridge, a 5-foot-9 guard, has excelled in that role. She hit better than 50% from the field in 13 of the 20 Mountain West games in which she attempted a shot, and in three MWC tournament games she shot a combined 11-of-16, averaging 11.0 points per contest.

Because Ethridge is so dependable, teammates don’t hesitate to swing the ball in her direction, even in high-leverage situations.

Ethridge credited her teammates and UNLV’s system for putting her in position to succeed.

“I think that plays a big role in our success and shows how much chemistry we have,” Ethridge said. “We always know where someone is going to be. We all trust each other as a whole. No one is afraid to make the one extra pass because we all trust that they’re going to do the right thing or make the shot.”

Ethridge was the Gatorade State Player of the Year as a senior in 2017-18 with Centennial, and she is still plenty capable of elevating her game to star levels when called upon.

In the Mountain West tournament semifinal win over San Diego State, she scored 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including a run of eight consecutive points in the third quarter to keep UNLV in front in a game they eventually won, 71-68.

Her teammates certainly noticed the way Ethridge stepped up.

“Justice was carrying,” Booker said after that game. “We couldn’t get nothing going and Justice was carrying. That’s what she does. She’s a silent assassin, so we depend on her to do that.”

UNLV is 14-0 when Ethridge tallies at least 10 points.

“She just rises to the occasion,” UNLV coach Lindy La Rocque said. “When you have a third player like Justice who can go off, who can attack the basket, she’s so athletic. … I think that’s what really makes us hard to guard. That’s when we’re really clicking.”

Along with Young and Booker, Ethridge is part of the contingent of native Las Vegans that makes up the core of this UNLV squad.

That camaraderie has made the team’s remarkable run even more enjoyable for Ethridge.

“Off the court we love being around each other,” she said. “There’s never any problems and we all want to see each other succeed. It’s really amazing. I’ve been here since 2018 and I’ve seen this program and this team and city develop. It’s a beautiful thing.”

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