Air Force’s late charge fell short

the numbers

Friday, March 1, 2002 | 10:16 a.m.

Recapping UNLV's 73-66 win over Air Force on Thursday night:

First half

Score: UNLV 41, Air Force 29

The Man: In a strange half in which the Rebels struggled for good shots but still led by 16 at one point, Lou Kelly scored 15 of his game-high 19 points. He shot 3 of 3 on 3-pointers.

Turning point: Kelly made two 3-pointers in the middle of a 10-2 spurt that put UNLV ahead 28-13 with 5:14 left in the half. The lead expanded to 16 two minutes later.

Off the bench: Four Rebels subs combined for 24 minutes and had 11 points. Omari Pearson converted a put-back and finished the three-point play.

Game within the game: Opposing defenses are making it more difficult for Dalron Johnson to get his hands on the ball. Air Force held him to three shots in the first half (six in the game), mainly by double- and triple-teaming him when the ball swung to his side of the court.

Second half

Final: UNLV 73, Air Force 66

The Man: Jevon Banks had a big half, playing 16 minutes and scoring 10 of his 14 points. After Air Force tied it 64-64, his 15-footer with a minute left restored a four-point UNLV lead.

Turning point: Air Force went on an 18-6 run to tie the game with 3:14 to play, but the Rebels didn't allow another point until two seconds remained. Air Force shot 0 of 5 in that span.

Off the bench: Air Force's lack of depth proved costly after Joel Gerlach (19 points) fouled out with 6:31 left. Also, backup point guard Selwyn Mansell had two turnovers in a minute.

Game within the game: Falcons coach Joe Scott is still hurting his team with nonstop raging at the referees. He got a technical foul with 11:24 left, and it was amazing that it took so long. Air Force needs every call it can get, and Scott's carping works against that cause.