UNLV-San Diego State: Rebels Lose Hearbreaker in Overtime

The UNLV Runnin' Rebels, in what many consider the most important game of the year so far, came up just a little bit short, as they lost to the San Diego State Aztecs 68-66 in overtime in front of 14,137 fans there to honor hometown hero Greg Maddux during a halftime ceremony.

Maddux, a future first ballot Hall of Famer five years from now, was a throwback to the pitchers of the '50s and '60s, where the starters completed most of their games. Tonight, the Rebels failed to finish the game where they so valiantly fought from behind to take a four-point lead in the final minutes. They had a chance to win it in regulation as Joe Darger badly missed with one of his patented three-point "dagger" in the game's final seconds.

In overtime, the same pattern that took place in regulation came to pass. The Rebels fell behind early, and with less than a minute to play and down by one, Rene Rougeau, after a brilliant all-around game performance, missed an uncontested layup that would have put the Rebels back into the lead by one with precious seconds remaining on the clock.

After the Aztecs missed on the second half of two free throws, the Rebels still had a chance to tie or win the game with 10 seconds left.

Lon Kruger chose not to call a timeout and make a set play, and the Rebels missed the tying shot as the clock ran out.

Wink Adams led the way for the Rebels with 16 points, but he was 4-for-15 from the floor as the Rebels shot a miserable 33 percent at 19-for-56. They were also outrebounded 35 to 30 as the Aztecs, who were not at full strength, played inspired basketball as they snapped the Rebels' home winning streak at the Thomas and Mack.

San Diego State was the last team in the Mountain West Conference to beat the Rebels on their home court.

This was a devastating loss for the Runnin' Rebs. With New Mexico in "The Pit" looming this coming Saturday night, Lon Kruger's club is going to have to get over this loss quickly, or they will be in danger of falling back to the middle of the pack in the race for the Mountain West Conference regular season crown, which I believe will get an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament come March.

San Diego State clearly established tonight that they are a force to be reckoned with along with BYU and Utah as the Rebels' rivals in the Mountain West.

On to "The Pit."