#2 UNLV 80, #7 Utah 54
2007 MWC Men's Basketball Tournament Post Game Notes
March 8, 2007
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UNLV set a new MWC tournament record for margin of victory in the 26-point victory.
UNLV is now a perfect 7-0 all-time in the MWC Tournament quarterfinals, and is the only team to have never lost a quarterfinal matchup. The Runnin' Rebels are now 12-5 all-time in the MWC tournament, which is the best record of any MWC team.
Utah suffered its first-ever loss in the quarterfinals, and are now 9-7 all-time in MWC tournament action. It was also the worst loss for Utah in MWC tournament play, following a 23-point loss in the 2003 semifinals to UNLV.
UNLV held Utah to just one field goal over the final nine minutes of the half. During that stretch UNLV went on a 19-5 run, turning a four-point deficit into a 35-25 halftime lead, and the run featured three consecutive three-pointers by the Runnin' Rebels.
The game was sealed when UNLV went on a 13-2 run over a four-minute span to open up an 18-point lead, 52-34, with 12:32 left in the game. Utah came no closer than 14 the rest of the game.
With 13 steals, UNLV set a new MWC tournament record, breaking the previous record of 12, set by both UNLV in 2002 and Air Force in 2000.
UNLV extended its home-winning streak to 15 games, which is the 12th-longest active streak in the nation.
The all-time series between the two schools is now tied at 18-18, and UNLV has won the last five meetings.
Utah's Luke Nevill matched a season-high with 26 points and recorded the 14th double-double of his career by grabbing 10 rebounds.
UNLV's Kevin Kruger made four three-pointers in the game, and moved into ninth place all-time in school history for three-pointers in a season with 68.
UNLV won its 26th game of the year, its most since the 1991-92 season, when the Runnin' Rebels finished 26-2.
UNLV advances to Friday's semifinals against the winner of the #3 San Diego State-#6 Colorado State matchup at 8:30 p.m. PT.
