As good advice goes, Anthony Levrets may have hit the jackpot when asked what his Utah women need to do to be successful against UNLV on Tuesday in the first round Mountain West Conference tournament.

"We need to make a shot," Levrets said without a hint of sarcasm.

This is what it comes down to for the Utes. They are one of the best defensive teams in the MWC. They have played the best teams in the conference tough, and they have the confidence required of a team ready to make a run toward the NCAA Tournament.

Utah, however, has struggled in close games this season because it hasn't been able to score. And that trait reared its ugly head last week against this same UNLV team, when the Utes had a 13-point second half lead and weren't able to put the Rebels away down the stretch.

"We've lost a lot of close games because we weren't able to execute when we needed to," junior point guard Janita Badon said. "In my mind, that problem has been fixed."

The Utah players believe they can win the tournament, an endeavor that would require four wins in five days. The Utes have lost five conference games this season by seven points or fewer, something Levrets says comes with his team's lack of experience.

Even so, the talent is there. Michelle Plouffe was named the MWC freshman of the year Monday. Badon was named to the all-defensive team and Iwalani Rodrigues was named second team all-MWC.

"We have a lot of belief," Levrets said. "The players think they can win this thing, and I'm not going to tell them otherwise. If we come out and play well on both ends of the floor, we have a chance."

tjones@sltrib.com —

UNLV vs. Utah

P At the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas

Tipoff • 5:30 p.m. MST

TV • None

Radio • 700 AM

Records • Utah 14-16, UNLV 11-19

Series record • Utah leads 28-14

Last meeting • UNLV 51-47 (March 5)

About the Utes • Utah is the fifth seed; UNLV is the eighth seed. … Utah had a 13-point lead against the Rebels on Saturday before losing. … The Utes are 18-8 all-time in the Mountain West Conference tournament.

About the Rebels • UNLV would've faced Utah whether the Utes had won or lost Saturday. … The teams have split in their two meetings this season.