BIG SECOND HALF PUSHES UNLV PAST UTAH 75-65

Sophomore guard Tre’Von Willis scored 22 points and UNLV staged another second-half comeback to defeat Utah 75-65 today at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Rebels trailed by 11 early in the second half before Willis and seniors Wink Adams and Mareceo Rutledge sparked a 31-12 run to overwhelm the Utes. Adams scored 14 points, 12 in the second half, and Rene Rougeau also had 14 for UNLV (16-4, 4-2 Mountain West Conference). Rutledge hit two 3-pointers during the second-half surge and finished with nine points.

Three days after overcoming a 13-point halftime deficit in a victory at Brigham Young, the Rebels played another sluggish first half and trailed Utah 38-30.

Luke Nevill had 14 points and seven rebounds to lead the Utes (12-7, 3-2). The 7-foot-2-inch Nevill was contained after scoring eight points in the first half.

Utah 38, UNLV 30 (halftime report)

Luke Nevill and Tyler Kepkay each scored eight points to lift Utah to a 38-30 halftime lead over UNLV today at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The 7-foot-2-inch Nevill pounded the Rebels inside while Kepkay hit two of the Utes’ six 3-pointers.

Tre’Von Willis had 12 points and Rene Rougeau added 10 for UNLV (15-4, 3-2 Mountain West Conference). Willis made a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer to close the gap.

The Rebels shot 4-for-10 on free throws and played with little intensity for most of the half. Carlon Brown’s jumper in the lane put Utah ahead 32-20 with 4:20 left.