Las Vegas – Sharpshooting UNLV gained control with a 10-1 run to start the second half and eliminated Colorado State from the Mountain West Conference Tournament on Friday night.
The Rebels defeated the Rams 88-72 behind a barrage of 3-pointers and advanced to Saturday’s title game against top-seeded Brigham Young.
CSU rallied down the stretch, but could get no closer than 11 points.
Guard Kevin Kruger led UNLV’s offense with 21 points as the Rebels hit 62.5 percent in the first half and finished the game at 56.9 percent. The Rebels connected on 15 3-pointers.
The Rebels’ offense also collected 24 assists, led by Kruger’s nine.
CSU’s Jason Smith had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. However, Smith was 4-of-12 shooting from the field, but was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or at imoss@denverpost.com.
