Runnin’ Rebels survive OT thriller

January 26, 2012 by Patrick Goggin 

Moser takes over for UNLV to squeak past MWC foe Boise St.

The BSU Broncos gave the 12th ranked Runnin’ Rebels squad a run for their money on Wednesday night, but UNLV managed to hang on for a 77-72 win in overtime.

Mike Moser recorded his fifth double-double in the last six games, scoring 18 points and 21 rebounds to help the Rebels to a 19-3 record.

“Moser is as sick as anyone can be,” said head coach Dave Rice. “It took everyone to win this game, and we got tremendous contribution off the bench.”

UNLV took the Broncos by storm, going on a 12-0 run to start the game. However, inconsistent shooting and shaky defense allowed BSU to creep back into the game and cut the Rebels’ lead to two at halftime.

Both teams turned the ball over 14 times and the Broncos, plagued by poor shooting in the first half, made only one of their first 10 shots to open the first half, and sunk only two three-pointers in the first 20 minutes.

UNLV had two separate occasions of scoring droughts of over four minutes.

“This game gives us a lot of confidence and it helps our chemistry,” Oscar Bellfield said on CBS College Sports. “It shows that we can pull out of games even when we are down.”

Anthony Marshall began the game with a big three, but finished the game with only five points on 2-11 shooting. Justin Hawkins, who drilled a long three to regain the lead going into the break, had six points.

Broncos freshman Derrick Marks led all scorers with 21 points. The Rebels out-rebounded the Broncos 45-39 despite two Broncos players reaching double digits in rebounds.

BSU opened the second half with more of the same adjustments that kept them alive in the first half. Sloppy turnovers and fouls by UNLV allowed Boise to gain a four point lead, their largest in the night.

UNLV came back and stretched the lead to nine before the team broke down. The Rebels had trouble closing out the game, as Marshall fouled out with 3:17 left in the second half.

In the waning seconds of regulation, BSU had the opportunity to clinch the game, but a blocked shot forced the game into overtime with a score of 64-64.

“I told our players to do exactly what we have done all year: rely on our defense, and [that] was a great block by Moser,” Rice said.

Bellfield’s three pointer with two minutes left in overtime pushed the UNLV lead to five. The Rebels shot 8-10 behind the free throw line in overtime, 16-22 overall.

Carlos Lopez sprained his ankle in the second half. Lopez suffered from a severely sprained right ankle earlier in the season, and there are no reports yet on his status.

Air Force is up next for the Rebels on the road Saturday night. UNLV bounced the Falcons out of the quarterfinals of the MWC tournament in their last meeting. UNLV is 26-8 all-time against the Falcons.