Taking a shot at the conference leaders

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006 | 12:33 p.m.

For second-place UNLV (13-9, 7-3 in the Mountain West Conference) to nudge closer to San Diego State atop the league tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center, Rebels coach Lon Kruger knows something must change.

A month ago, the Aztecs (16-7, 9-2) used a sterling performance from Marcus Slaughter, solid free-throw shooting and a superb second half to douse UNLV, 83-67, in San Diego.

Slaughter, a 6-foot-8, 223-pound junior, had 20 points and 20 rebounds.

UNLV's post men - Louis Amundson, Dustin Villepigue and Gaston Essengue - scrambled to keep up with Slaughter. The trio combined for 14 points and 16 boards.

"We have to get more (post production)," Kruger said. "They do a good job of doubling (on defense) in the post, making it tough to get it down in there."

Kruger said doubling Slaughter might be an option.

"You always have to give those type of players extra attention," Kruger said.

Rebels fans were ready to blow the roof off the Thomas & Mack on Jan. 25, but Air Force dampened the enthusiasm of a crowd of 9,570 by upending UNLV, 52-50.

After Wendell White's tip that would have sent the game into overtime was disallowed, fans littered the court with debris. Three days later, a crowd of 13,365 reacted boisterously when the Rebels deflected a New Mexico charge with some late defense for a 67-56 victory.

Still, Kruger senses UNLV fans are itching to let loose for 40 minutes. A national ESPN2 audience at 7 tonight with the league's top team as an opponent might provide that atmosphere.

UNLV is fourth in the MWC with an average home attendance of 10,325. New Mexico (14,395), Brigham Young (12,047) and Utah (10,460) hold the first three spots.

"I think the crowds have been great," Kruger said.

The second half at San Diego State last month was particularly distasteful to Kruger.

UNLV led, 38-32, at the half. SDSU blasted the Rebels, 51-29, in the second half, and the Aztecs went 26-for-31 at the free-throw line in the final 20 minutes.

"They got more aggressive than we did," Kruger said.

Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or at miech@lasvegassun.com.