Rebels Rally Past Pokes

A hot shooting second half allowed the UNLV Runnin' Rebels to come from eight points down at half and push past the Wyoming Cowboys 74-65 Tuesday night in MWC action at the Arena-Auditorium.

Held to 31 percent field goal shooting in the first half, the Rebels scorched the nets, going 21-of-32 from field, for 65.6 percent in the final 20 minutes.  They had 21 assists for the game on 30 made field goals, which included 14 on their 21 baskets in the second half.

UNLV (16-5, 4-3) used a 20-6 second half run to take control of the game.  Eight points from Tre'Von Willis keyed the surge which gave the Rebels a 57-49 lead with 8 minutes left.  Once the UNLV lead reached double figures, the Pokes got no closer than nine points the rest of the way. 

Willis, Oscar Bellfield and Chace Stanback led the Rebels with 17 points each.  Quintrell Thomas added 10 points, while Anthony Marshall chipped in eight points and 11 rebounds.

Desmar Jackson scored 17 points to lead UW (8-12, 1-5), which dropped its fourth straight game.  Amath M'Baye and Paco Cruz had 13 points apiece.  JayDee Luster added nine points and eight assists.

After seven ties in the first fifteen minutes of action, the Cowboys went on an 13-2 run that ended the first half.  Wyoming held a 31-23 lead at the break.