Edwards eyes redemption

Steve Guiremand

Monday, Feb. 24, 2003 | 10 a.m.

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What: Air Force at UNLV

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Thomas & Mack Center

TV: None

Radio: KBAD 920-AM

Line: Rebels by 9 1/2

J.K. Edwards is coming off a game that marks the high point of his UNLV career.

The 6-foot-8, 250-pound junior center scored 20 points, including 14 of his team's 15 points during one key late second half stretch, to go along with six rebounds to help rally the Rebels to a 74-69 victory over New Mexico on Saturday afternoon at the Thomas & Mack Center.

But Edwards and the Rebels (16-8, 5-5) don't have much time to celebrate.

That's because UNLV hosts pesky Air Force (11-12, 2-8), a team that upset the Rebels last month in Colorado Springs, tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center. It's another game that falls into the "must-win" category if UNLV wants to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

For Edwards, it also brings back memories of the low point of his Rebel career.

The junior college transfer from Indian Hills (Iowa) Community College struggled badly at both ends of the court in last month's 75-71 loss to the Falcons. He played 12 minutes and finished with more fouls (2) and turnovers (2) than rebounds (1) or points (0) and struggled badly defensively against Air Force's deliberate Princeton-style offense.

"It really was probably my lowest point here," Edwards said. "A lot of us didn't really know how they played because we hadn't faced them before.

"I was really out of that game. I just didn't play well. It just wasn't my day that day. It was a real bad loss for us. Now we've got to make sure we redeem ourselves back here."

UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour said it isn't unusual for a player to have defensive breakdowns the first time he goes against Air Force.

"We can talk about how they do stuff but until they play against it you really don't know," he said.

Spoonhour said it will be important for Edwards to rebound well tonight. UNLV surprisingly was outrebounded by the smaller Falcons, 27-24, in the first matchup.

"The main thing we need from (Edwards) is to do what he did against New Mexico," Spoonhour said. "He needs to be more assertive, particularly on the boards. I think when he goes after rebounds our team is better."

Edwards downplayed his performance against New Mexico on Saturday.

"It's a real big game but I can do much better," he said. "We can do a lot better as a team. Period. We've got too much talent to be playing like we are right now. We should be a lot better. I'm actually really disappointed in the way we've been playing."

Air Force has lost 26 consecutive Mountain West Conference road games, including a 67-53 decision at San Diego State on Saturday. ... The Falcons are ranked No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 56.4 points per game. Air Force also ranks fifth in turnovers, committing just 11.1 per game.