THE ELEVATOR

Wednesday, April 4, 2007 | 7:20 a.m.

Who's headed toward the penthouse on the local sports scene - and who's getting the shaft.

GOING UP

Wyoming women's hoops

When told it could continue to host WNIT games as long as it attracted a crowd, the Wyoming women's basketball team and its fans responded, drawing school-record crowds of 7,362, 11,253, 12,225 and 15,462 en route to winning the championship. When Lady Rebels supporters had the same opportunity in 2004, they did not respond, as only 852 showed up for a third-round game against Western Kentucky at Cox Pavilion. The lack of interest forced UNLV to hit the road, where it beat Iowa State and lost to Creighton in the title game.

UNLV golf

"Rebels' depth key to success," read the headline above a story about the UNLV golf team. "UNLV ranked sixth despite lack of star." Sound like another Rebels team of which you may have heard?

Ryan Kowalski

The UNLV outfielder went 8-for-17 last week and delivered game-winning hits in three Rebels victories to earn Mountain West player of the week honors. Too bad he can't pitch, too. UNLV blew a 9-0 lead Sunday at Utah, giving up eight runs in the final three innings.

Wranglers attendance

A crowd of 7,126 turned out to watch the local ECHL team discard the Alaska Aces 4-2 Saturday night. That's a lot of puckheads.

GOING DOWN

Gladiators attendance

A crowd of 5,146 turned out to watch the local indoor football team lose 57-47 to the Utah Something or Others on Sunday afternoon. Based on arena football's 12,000 break-even standard, that's not nearly enough football-in-a-can heads to keep the local franchise solvent.

Lon Kruger-to-Michigan rumors

Now that West Virginia coach John Beilein has taken the Wolverines job, you can lay this piece of speculation to rest. And don't think for a minute that Kruger will be leaving Las Vegas for Pittsnogle - er, Morgantown.

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