Rookie Lauryn Swann shines in the big moments to lead Arizona to a 75-66 win over UNLV Tuesday

Big game, everything on the line and it was just another day for Arizona freshman Lauryn Swann. When her number was called at the end of the third quarter and she entered the game, she was ready to show what she's made of – and that was leading the Wildcats to a 75-66 win over UNLV Tuesday night at McKale Center in front of more than 7,000 in attendance.

Arizona is now 4-0, while UNLV drops to 2-1.

Swann, who finished with 19 points (8 of 9 from the field and a pair of 3-pointers), provided the spark off the bench that the Wildcats needed to overcome the Lady Rebels. At the half, UNLV was up 36-32 and pulled ahead by seven points in the third quarter, until the Wildcats started chipping away.

The Wildcats kept fighting the entire game. Whether it was Paulina Paris hitting a few 3-pointers in the first half and picking two steals, Breya Cunningham having another strong game finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and three steals, or even Jada Williams finding the basket for 15 points.

"Lauryn Swann was huge tonight," Arizona coach Adia Barnes said. "(She) did not play in the first half as a freshman, she could have hung her head, (but she) came out firing, doing what she does, and just really proud of what she did. Without her doing that, without Jada making big shots, without Breya carrying us for most of the game and playing smart with foul trouble, we don't win this game."

The Arizona defense tightened up in the last few minutes of the third quarter and outscored the Lady Rebels 29-16 in the fourth. The Wildcats were trapping, not giving too much space. Still, throughout the game they gave up too many offensive rebounds (16) – ending up in second and third chances many times.

Swann told the ESPN+ announcers, Joan Bonvicini and Cindy Brunson, after the game that while she was on the bench, she was analyzing what was going on in front her, so that when she stepped on the court, she knew where to make her moves.

And boy did she make moves. From mid-range shots, layups and to deep 3's – all in the moments when the Wildcats needed it the most scratching back to take the lead. She was scoring at will. She was fearless running into traffic and bobbing and weaving and almost daring her opponents to try to stop her.

At one point she drove right, left, back right, snaking in between defenders to score on an inside shot. When she was double-teamed on the perimeter, she passed it into Isis Beh for another quick basket.

That was just on the offensive side of the court. She trapped a defender with Breya Cunningham, helping her post grab yet another steal.

And with less than 30 seconds left, her teammates rewarded her on two steals and two easy baskets.

Barnes has said that we've seen a "glimpse of greatness" from Swann, but it was all on display against UNLV.

Another Wildcat who stood out was Skylar Jones, who finished with nine points, four rebounds, five assists, a block and two steals. She was intense on defense pulling the ball away from her opponent at times and denying without fouling at times.

Besides fighting every minute of the game, this win was especially sweet for the Wildcats as in some way it avenged last year's 72-53 loss.

"It felt good because they kicked our butts," Barnes said. "They whooped us up and down (and) around the floor last year. I mean, decisively."

She said it

"I think the team did a good job of finding (Swann). She is a good shooter. She does it every day. If you watch her execution of her shot, her footwork, her feet are always set, and it's the same execution every time. She's a consistent shooter. But what I like about her is that she's got dog in her. She has always been an underdog. ... She's in the gym every night. I get pictures and stuff from people like, 'Oh, I saw your player over there.' My friends' kids will come and take their kids to shoot, and they'll be like, 'Oh, guess who's here?' She'll be in like, pajama pants shooting. She loves that. She wants it." – Barnes on Swann.

Key moment

The entire fourth quarter was the turning point. Jones started it off with a drive and drew a foul to close the gap to one point with UNLV up 50-49. It just rolled from there. Arizona took a 54-52 lead on a 3-pointer by Swann, with 7:57 left in the game. The Lady Rebels never got any close than those two points. However, UNLV kept handing around and with 3:15 left Montaya Dew confidently knocked down a 3-pointer to extend UA's lead to 65-59.