AIR FORCE ACADEMY — After UNLV struggled to beat Air Force at home in late January, the Runnin’ Rebels had little trouble handling the Falcons on the road Saturday.
Chace Stanback scored a career-high 21 points and UNLV hit a season-high 13 3-pointers en route to a 77-47 victory.
The Runnin’ Rebels used a swarming man-to-man defense to shut down the Falcons. UNLV was dominant from the start and used a 17-0 run midway through the first half to blow the game open.
It was UNLV’s fifth consecutive victory over Air Force, which has lost seven straight and dropped 13 of its past 14.
The Runnin’ Rebels improved to 9-3 on the road and swept the season series with the Falcons.
“You certainly have to give them credit defensively, but I thought they were even better offensively,” Air Force coach Jeff Reynolds said of UNLV. “Their defense caused us to be extremely tentative early. They got us back on our heels and took control of the game right from the start.”
No. 10 New Mexico 83, No. 13 BYU 81
PROVO, Utah — New Mexico clinched the top seed in the Mountain West Conference Tournament and a share of the regular-season title by defeating fellow heavyweight BYU.
“It’s a huge statement to beat a team like BYU at home with the record they have here,” said Dairese Gary, who had 23 points in the victory. The Cougars had won 21 straight at home.
Darington Hobson added 20 points and 14 rebounds for New Mexico, and his block in the closing second preserved the school’s first win in Provo since 2000.
“It’s a big win for our city, the state and our program,” Hobson said.
Utah 74, Wyoming 64
SALT LAKE CITY — Luka Drca scored 10 of his 17 points in the final six minutes to help Utah pull away.
Desmar Jackson scored a career-high 31 points for the Cowboys, who lost their eighth straight.
The Associated Press
