Rebels did just enough to get past the Vikings

the numbers

Monday, Nov. 25, 2002 | 10:06 a.m.

First half: UNLV 33-25

The Man: Senior point guard Marcus Banks scored 10 points and also had four assists and four steals.

Turning Point: Rebels jumped out to quick 11-2 lead and were cruising but starting center J.K. Edwards picked up his second foul a few moments later and spent the rest of the half on the bench.

Game within the game: Senior forward Dalron Johnson, who couldn't seem to miss in last week's exhibition win over EA Sports when he was 16-of-19 from the floor, scored just four points and was 1-of-6 from the floor.

Second half: UNLV 69-54

The Man: Dalron Johnson scored 15 points in the second half to go along with six blocks.

Turning Point: Nursing just a five-point lead, 45-40, with 10:45 to go, Banks found Demetrius Hunter with an alley-oop pass and Hunter dunked it, firing up the Rebels and the crowd. UNLV went on a 13-3 over the next four minutes to put the game away.

Game within the game: With starting center J.K. Edwards plagued by early foul trouble and sophomore forward Louis Amundson sidelined with a hand injury, JC transfer James Peters played 23 minutes and finished with six points and a team-high eight rebounds.