Nova wins Lady Rebel Round-Up tournament in Las Vegas

Harry Perretta has his Wildcats out to a 4-1 start to open the 2012-13 season, and that start was punctuated on Sunday with a Thanksgiving Tournament championship. After winning their opener against South Dakota State and losing their second game, at Minnesota, the women's team has won their last three games, including meetings with Bowling Green and Montana at UNLV's Lady Rebel Round-Up tournament.

The 'Cats jumped out to a quick 13-2 lead in the tournament's title game against Montana, connecting on 15 three-pointers in the game to demolish the Griz, 74-49. Montana had come into the contest on a three-game willing streak, but the Big Sky women were no match for the hot-shooting Wildcats.

After shooting just 6 of 22 (27.3%) from deep against Bowling Green the day before, Perretta's 'Cats were on target on Sunday, making 51.7% of their attempts from beyond the arc -- and 60% in the first half -- to blow the Grizzlies away in the title game.

"That's what you fear when you play a team that shoots threes like they do," Montana coach Robin Selvig told the Great Falls Tribune. "They got it going early today, and we never really could put a finger in the dike.

"They run great offense and are hard to guard. Man, zone, in the first half it didn't matter what we tried."

Lauren Burford was the star for Villanova in the first half, scoring 15 points by the intermission on 5 of 6 shooting from downtown. The 'Cats took a 40-19 lead into half-time and never looked back.

Burford had 19 points in the game to lead the 'Cats, while Rachel Roberts and freshman Caroline Coyer each scored 13; all three combined for a three-point barrage that seemingly broke Montana's spirits.

Villanova's Lauren Sweeney was named the tournament's MVP, scoring 12 points in the title game with six rebounds and two blocks.