Bandits drop another home game

Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000 | 10:08 a.m.

So far, home court advantage has meant little to the Las Vegas Bandits.

The team, 2-0 on the road, lost its second home game, 105-100 against New Mexico Wednesday night before an announced crowd of 1,318 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

New Mexico's Lenny Holly hit two free throws with 4.1 seconds left to put the game out of reach. Andy Panko led the Slam (2-2) with a game-high 30 points and Bryant Notree turned in a double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Las Vegas trailed by one at halftime and was outscored 17-5 in the first 5:31 of the third quarter. During that stretch, the Slam made 7-of-8 shots while the Bandits were 1-for-7. New Mexico's largest lead was 16 in the second half but the Bandits pulled within 102-100 with 19 seconds left.

Mike Jones scored 25 points for the Bandits while J.R. Henderson added 18 and DeeAndre Hulett chipped in 16 off the bench. Rookie point guard Eddie Gill recorded his first double-double with 12 points and 11 assists.

KTUD Channel 25/Cable 14 UPN will air Saturday's game between the Bandits and the Slam at noon Sunday on tape delay.