UNLV-Air Force: Rebels Clip Falcons Wings

It was White Out Senior Night at the Thomas and Mack Center on the campus of UNLV, and just short of 15,000 white shirts saw the Rebels win their most sloppy game to date with a 46-43 victory over the Falcons from the Air Force Academy.

By 9:00 AM I was fully dressed in white, with white jeans I dug out of the rummage and a white 24 Hour Fitness shirt as I set out to get my front row tickets for the game.

I wound up in section 223 way upstairs where my 22 year old daughter, a Rebel Girl wannabee, and I watched and cheered for Senior Night and the five players who have given me so many thrills in the past four years.

I still remember when Wink was a freshman and I couldn't believe how agile and exciting he was. I said to myself if this guy stays healthy it's going to be a great, fun next four years. It certainly has been.

Thanks Wink, Joe, Rene, Moe, and Rob. With the best introductions in college sports we got ready for a stellar performance in a game UNLV needed to play well going into the critical San Diego State game on Saturday night.

As Jack Buck once said, " I can't believe what I just saw". Well neither could I. With seven minutes left in the first half the Rebels trailed 13-6. Are you kidding me? Shooting under 30 percent they were as out of sync as I think I may have ever seen.

Good thing the Air Force Academy which is used to losing by a bunch weren't much better.

The Rebels took a 20-19 lead into the half. UGLY.

The second half wasn't much better. In total, the Rebels made a grand total of 15 field goals out of 50 shots. This kind of shooting which has happened quite frequently of late is going to get the Rebels bounced out of the Mountain West Conference Tournament in the first round and then get buried in it's opening NIT game. UGH.

Wink Adams led the Rebels in scoring with 11 points. Enough said.

Believe it or not, The Falcons actually cut an 11 point deficit down to two points with under a minute to play. Andrew Henke a senior guard/forward led the charge with 19 points. However, with just seconds left on the shot clock, Wink Adams shot a left handed underhand scoop shot to put the Falcons away.

That part couldn't have been scripted by a Hollywood Screen Writer any better as the fans left happy for now.

More likely than not, the Rebels will actually wind up with a home and home series against the San Diego State Aztecs starting Saturday night in San Diego and then in the 4/5 game next Thursday afternoon, here at the Thomas and Mack Center.

Where the Rebel seniors end their careers at UNLV will be decided at the conclusion of those two games.

It's anybody's ballgame.