UNLV-BYU: Rebels Prevail in a Must-Win Game Against Cougars

The first sellout since 1993 saw the UNLV Runnin' Rebels sweep the season series from the BYU Cougars with a tingling one-point win, 75-74.

Senior guard Wink Adams led a second half barrage that saw the Rebels score 52 points after a sluggish, tight first half where they only managed to score 23. The Rebels defense and poor first half shooting by the Cougars, who scored their first points with just over 15 minutes to play in the first half, opened up their three-point gunners in the second half to the delight of the 18,000-plus in attendance on what truly was a "Pack the Mack" night.

Adams had a game-high 22 points (20 in the second half) along with seven rebounds and five assists. Joining him in double figures was Mareceo Rutledge with 13 points off the bench, and his tenaciousness was relevant all over the court.

Rene Rougeau chipped in with 12, Tre'von Willis played another outstanding game as he contributed with 10 points and seven boards as well, and Joe Darger had three critical threes. Kendall Wallace at one point in the second half came off the bench and nailed two three-pointers and a layup, scoring 8 straight points to give the Rebels the lead they would never relinquish.

BYU was led by their two big scorers, Lee Cummard with 20 and Jonathan Tavernari, who added 19. BYU, who trailed by as many as 12 with under five minutes to go, never gave up and narrowed the gap to three with under a minute to play. The clock finally ran out after BYU closed the gap to one, but the Cougars couldn't catch up to Wink Adams as the game ended.

To say the least, after Wednesday's loss at Wyoming, UNLV finds itself in a must win them all situation before the Mountain West Conference Tournament begins, with the winner getting an automatic bid to the NCAA.

So-called experts are predicting three or possibly four teams from the Mountain West to make it to the big dance. I see three teams at best because the committee is in love with the bigger conferences and upsets that always happen in league tournaments, which has seen only two teams from the Mountain West make to the NCAA the last two years.

Wednesday UNLV is on the road in Utah, where a Rebel victory would sweep that season series, and then a trip to San Diego State on Saturday. There the Rebels will try to avenge their only home conference loss this year. Finally, they close out the Mountain West season with a game vs. the Air Force Academy on Wednesday, March 4.

The question remains, which Rebel team will show up in Utah and San Diego—the one who beat Louisville and BYU on the road, or the one who lost to TCU, Colorado State, and New Mexico on their home court?

One thing is for certain: The Rebels need all three plus a good showing in the tournament to be considered for their third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament under the guidance of coach Lon Kruger. Should be a fun 10 days