Rebels Rip Denver 106-84; Eddie on Top

Friday, Feb. 11, 1977 | midnight

UNLV, behind Eddie Owens’ 28 points- which made him the school’s all-time career scorer, defeated Denver University Thursday night, 106-84, at Las Vegas Convention Center.

It was the Rebels’ 55th consecutive homecourt victory and set up the show-down Saturday night with No. 3-ranked Louisville. UNLV, now 19-2, is ranked eight in the nation.

UNLV, playing about as expected against the Pioneers, now 9-12, led by only 11 at half, 47-36, before blowing it open midway through the second stanza.

Owens, who passed Silas Stepp in scoring and now has 1,968 career points, hit on nine of 18 field goal attempts and all 10 foul shots for his total and also pulled down 10 rebounds in 30 minutes.

The Rebels outrebounded Denver, 54-41, led by Glen Gondrezick and Larry Moffett with 11 each.

Robert Smith scored 18 in support of Owens while Lewis Brown and Sam Smith each added 12 and Reggie Theus 10. Steve Cribari scored 21 to lead the losers.