Kelly records career high as Rebels hold off feisty CSU

Steve Addy

Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2002 | 10:25 a.m.

Of the four Mountain West basketball games played Monday, UNLV's 75-68 home victory over Colorado State was least worthy of sealing in a time capsule.

But that didn't make it any less cherished.

After the rough start they've had in the conference, and a lack of home games that hasn't helped, the Rebels need not apologize for a win that required some scrappiness even though they led from start to finish.

Getting a career-high 23 points from Lou Kelly, UNLV played well in spurts and showed just enough toughness at the end to improve to 2-3 in the league, 9-7 overall. The Rebels couldn't handle CSU center Brian Greene, who scored a career-high 32, but they repelled every uprising by the Rams (0-3, 8-9).

Not that anyone around the league will notice, because the other three MWC games Monday were all beauties or shockers.

Air Force upset suddenly vulnerable BYU 74-64, Utah pounded New Mexico at the Pit 81-51, and Wyoming won in overtime at San Diego State 88-85 in a Big Monday thriller on ESPN.

No matter to the Rebels. After distressing losses at Utah and BYU, they were satisfied to take the win and head back on the road, where they've spent most of the month. They'll visit San Diego on Saturday, then have eight days off until Super Bowl Sunday against DePaul.

"We did just enough to get by," Dalron Johnson said after a 13-point night. "When we play teams like Wyoming and Utah again, we're going to end up losing if we don't get better. We have to get tougher."

Indeed, coach Charlie Spoonhour had hoped his club would blow out the Rams after gaining leads of 15 in the first half and 14 with 9:41 remaining, but by now he must realize that isn't the Rebels' custom.

"When we have a lead, it doesn't mean happy days are here again," he said. "We've got to learn to take a lead and expand it. We can't just get ahead by 10 and be happy with that. We don't need to get comfortable. This isn't a very good team when we're comfortable."

On the other hand, though the Rebels could not muster a defensive matchup to stop Greene, they kept the Rams at bay with a wiser and more patient offense than in recent losses. When the game got tight, they waited for good shots and made plenty on a 54-percent night.

CSU pulled within five with 4:53 left, but Jevon Banks answered with a 10-footer on a dribble-penetration feed from Marcus Banks. When the Rams scored on their next possession, UNLV came back with a Lou Amundson dunk from Jevon Banks' pass.

Finally, after a Greene layup lifted CSU within 67-63, Jevon Banks made a 3-pointer from the top with two minutes left that seemed to dispirit the Rams. They couldn't get closer than five thereafter, with UNLV making 5 of 9 free throws in the final 1:19.01